Thursday December 7, 2023

Today is Thursday, December 7 and we are studying about the birth of the Prince of Peace.

As I enter this time of prayer, I still my mind, slow my breath and draw my heart near to God. As Christmas approaches, I prepare my soul and wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I come here to listen for your voice speaking to me from the sacred words of the Holy Bible. Remind me of the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and the promise of peace he brings to the world. Amen.

I praise God and seek his eternal truth in the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Pause and Pray

Advent teaches the people of God to wait, trust and hope even in times of darkness and uncertainty. Even when things on the surface seem to point to the contrary, we trust that something else is going on underneath. The entire biblical witness teaches this lesson. Noah builds the ark before the waters come. In his old age, Abraham waits to see the birth of his son Isaac. Moses leads freed slaves forty years in the wilderness heading for the promised land. Jonah lies in the belly of a whale uncertain of the future. The exiles languish for decades in Babylon waiting to go home to Jerusalem. Mary hears the promise of an angel and waits to see the prophecy fulfilled through her.

And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50

The pregnant Mary travels from Nazareth to visit her also pregnant cousin Elizabeth. At their encounter, the baby John leaps inside Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth responds. She is the first one to call Mary’s unborn child “Lord” a name reserved for God. She tells Mary she is blessed to be the mother of the Lord. Like a musical or opera, after Elizabeth speaks, there is a pause and then Mary bursts beautifully into song. As a response to Elizabeth’s blessing, Mary sings. Like a beautiful aria, the Magnificat (named for the first words in Latin) erupts from the scene.

Ask: How might the words of Mary’s Magnificat teach me about waiting and trusting God’s promises? What am I waiting for in my life?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I worship you. I pause in the hustle and bustle of this holiday season and magnify your name. I glorify you and rejoice that you are my God and you sent Jesus to be my Savior. You are the Mighty One who has done great things for me. Holy is your name. Thank you for your generous love and endless mercy. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I ruminate on Mary’s words from the Magnificat, I ponder how the ancient words of a young, unwed, pregnant teenager, marginalized in her society, survived to be one of the best loved and most inspired songs of Christmas. Mary has been given voice in the scriptures and proclaims one of the most important prophetic truths in all history. Mary praises God for what God has done and praises God for what God will do. Her soul continues to magnify and extol the Lord.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord God, I praise you for what you have already done in my life. Thank you for my many blessings. God, I praise you for what you will do in my life. Thank you for the good things you want to bring into my life and the blessings you have in store for me. I praise you for your steadfast love, mercy and kindness and rejoice all day long. Amen.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

I leave this time of prayer praising the God who loves me. I go to share the goodness of his mercy with a lonely world.

Amen