Rejoice and Be Glad--Dec. 25, 2021

 

God, our Maker, we are of the earth, 

and we know about earthly things, 

but we are glad, we rejoice, in you.

 

We rejoice because the One above all

came from you, born not into wealth

or royal splendor, but a lowly birth.

 

If we live in him, we love one another,

and you live in us, and your love is in us.

Help us live in you and rejoice and be glad.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 2; 149; 98; 96

Micah 4:1-5, 5:2-4

1 John 4:7-16

John 3:31-36

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 149:2

Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
          let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

 

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

          who are one of the little tribes of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

          one who is to rule in Israel, 

whose origin is of old, 

          from ancient days.

 

1 John 4:12

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

 

John 3:31

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all.