Prayer for the Holy Family
Colossians 3:12-21

“Put on heartfelt compassion,
kindness,
humility,
gentleness,
and patience,
bearing with one another
and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance
against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you,
so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,

And let the peace of Christ
control your hearts,
the peace into which you
were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you
as in all wisdom…
singing psalms,
hymns,
and spiritual songs
with gratitude
in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do,
in word or in deed,
do everything
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God…”

Does the peace of Christ control your heart?

1John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 124:2-8; Matthew 2:13-18

a voice
rising
a woman
weeping
for her children
caught
in the violence
of another’s heart
she suffers
for us all
despairing
in destruction
we wait
for light
for rescue
for love and peace
to find 
its home
in the world

Do you hear the cry of the woman weeping?
How does God’s love and light respond?

1John 1: 1-4; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20: 1-8

no longer
entombed
the Word of Life
is made visible
seen and heard
touched
with our hands
we are
the ones
he loves
we rejoice
as the light
dawns upon
our hearts
giving
thanks
no longer
locked
in time
we enter
His eternal life

Do you experience yourself as the one he loves?
Do you love others with this love?

Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Psalm 31: 3-8,16-17; Matthew 10:17-22

Holy Spirit
guide
of our every step
your face
shines upon us
a Light
to show the way
even when it feels
no one
can be trusted
we take refuge
in you
commending
our Spirit
into your hands
we see
your Glory
in our giving
enduring
to the end
in your saving Grace

To whom do you entrust your Spirit?

The Mass at Dawn
Isaiah 62: 11-12; Psalm 97:1,6,11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20

light streams
from the morning skies
as we ponder anew
with Mary
the miracle
and mystery of His birth
guided by dreams
and angels
and stars
and shepherds
into our hearts
as God’s love
and Glory appears
we live in the power
of that dawning day
given once long ago
yet giving itself again
in each day’s dawning
of love’s pure light

Is your heart open to the gift of love’s pure light?

Mass in the morning
2Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 29; Luke 1:67-79

the dawn
breaks
upon us
shining out
from a shadow
of darkness
and death
a gift
beyond belief
is given
all we have
longed for
freedom
kindness
mercy
forgiveness
compassion
and love
are given
to dwell
with us
in God’s
goodness
forever

Do you believe?
Has the Light broken through your darkness?

Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Psalm 25:4-14; Luke 1:57-66

what will
this child be
born
of Truth
and miracle
known
by star gazers
shepherds and kings
as the guide
and teacher
foretold
to follow

who will
endure
the day
of his coming
as brilliant
as the radiance
of the sun
refiner
of our souls
that are set
on fire
in love

How will you endure the day of His coming?

Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7 ; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45, 46-55

trusting
in God’s word
joy leapt
within her womb
He that would show us
God’s will for love
in our lives
leaving behind
an old covenant
of sacrifices
holocausts
and sin offerings
for God’s true desire
to love-
we turn our face to God’s presence
to see what has always been
from the beginning
love’s pure light
giving us new life
in the one who
stands firm
in strength
and goodness
to the ends of
all the earth
bringing us peace

Have you turned your face to God?
Do you see God’s will as love?
Does joy leap within your heart?

SG 2:8-14; Zep 3:14-18; Psalm 33:2-3,11-12,20-21; Luke 1:39-45

each day
as Mary did
trusting the promise
of new life
I hear His words
“Arise”
and know Love is near
as I come into
the day of prayer
each word
as daily bread
nourishing
my mind
and heart
and soul
I can only sing
a song of love
and praise
thankful
for all that is

Do you dare live a life of rejoicing in His word?
Do you dare live your life in praise?

Luke 1: 46-56

praying
with Mary
my soul
proclaims
the greatness
of the lord
my spirit
rejoices
in God
my savior
into my lowliness
my hunger
my barrenness
and fear
his glory
appears
with new life
for me
for all
fed and renewed
not by any merit
of our own
or worthiness
but by gracious love
given freely
to one
willing to receive
his mercy and care

Does your soul proclaim the greatness of the Lord?
Does your Spirit rejoice in God your savior?