I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

As the Bridegroom Rejoices--Jan. 1, 2018


Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises,
for as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

And we rejoice, because Mary bore a son--
King of kings, Lord of lords--
to save us from our sins.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 145; 99; 8
Isa. 62:1-5, 10-12
Rev. 19:11-16
Matt. 1:18-25

Selected Verses
Ps. 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
          break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 

Isa. 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman,
          so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
          so shall your God rejoice over you.

Rev. 19:16
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords."

Matt. 1:21
"…[Mary] will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  [An angel of the Lord, appearing in a dream to Joseph]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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