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.

To Jesus, Born of Mary--Dec. 23, 2021

 

Jesus, born of Mary, you are the Messiah.

When we are under the power of sin,

our faith in you sets us free.

 

Forgive me, if I cry to you

only in time of deep distress.

Let my seeking be just as ardent

when I am filled with your bounty, 

 

O Jesus, born of Mary, Son of God.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 18:1-20; 147:12-20; 126; 62

Jer. 31:10-14

Gal. 3:15-22

Matt. 1:1-17

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 18:6a

In my distress I called upon the LORD

          to my God I cried for help.

 

Jer. 31:14

I will give the priests their fill of fatness,

          and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the LORD.

 

Gal. 3:22

But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

 

Matt. 1:16

…and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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