Week of December 27, 2009, Christmas

A reading from Luke, chapter 2:
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Gift of Your Son, Jesus, the Christ. Come, Lord, Jesus, Emmanuel, this gift always with us, a baby yet a King, born in a stable, yet, Jesus, You are the King of Glory, commander of the Heavenly Host, the Prince of peace. Jesus, in this season of Christmas, thank You for the gift of peace that you bring to each of us. May we all experience the peace of Your presence in our midst, no matter what we are dealing with. May we all experience the joy that Your presence brings – the joy that the shepherds heard as they proclaimed the incredible message of Your birth, the Word made flesh, Jesus, who comes into the midst of our brokenness and humanity.

Thanks Jesus, for Your presence, Your peace, Your joy to each of us this day and always. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May we be aware of Jesus, our King and Savior, who is with us now and always.

Week of December 20, 2009, Luke 1:38-50

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Luke, chapter 1, the story of Mary visiting and talking to her relative Elizabeth, just after the angel of the Lord came to Mary, the Holy Spirit came on Mary. And the angel said to call Him Jesus, and He will be called the Son of the Most High God. The angel also said that ‘nothing is impossible with God.’ Part of the exchange between Mary and Elizabeth:
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Dear Lord, we praise You and magnify Your holy name.

May I rejoice in You and thank You, Lord, and all You have done in my life, as Mary rejoiced in You when she greeted her relative, Elizabeth. Help me to walk with You each day, mindful of Your presence with me always, with a humble heart, filled with courage, and mindful that Your mercy and grace extend also to me and has for generations and generations because of Your love, the Gift, the Christ Child in the manger, who matured and taught and mentored disciples, and then died on the cross – for each of us. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for that incredible plan of salvation when Love Came Down.

Thanks for Your joy, Your peace, Your presence, Your love. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May you experience God as Love who came down to each of us - now and always.

Week of December 13, 2009, Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 12:2-6

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Philippians 4, and another is from Isaiah 12. They have a related thread of joy in them.
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 12:2-6
2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

Dear God, in this season of Advent, preparing for Christmas, help me to rejoice. Help me to be filled with joy. I know that this season in itself – with all the trappings - may not bring the comfort and joy that I need, unless I take time to remember what the season is really all about. So again, Lord, help me to glad, to rejoice, for You are near. Jesus, You are in the midst of things in my life, and You bring the strength, the comfort, the peace that transcends all of my human understanding, and You guard my heart and my mind from anxiety, and help me center in You, Jesus.

For You, O God, my salvation, my strength, my trust, help me to draw from the deep wells of salvation so that I am filled with joy. I give You thanks, O God, and exalt Your name forever.

Jesus, thanks for Your presence, Your love, Your strength, Your peace. Amen.


The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May you experience God in powerful ways this week!