Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25; Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25

What angel comes
To this day
To this barren mind of morning
Still filled with the darkness of sleep
And the chaos of dreams
Desperately in need of light

Imperiled from yesterday’s news
Of war and shooting
Sickness and distress
My heart and soul plead
For the sound of choirs of hope
From angels who have seen
The goodness of love and God

Drawn in the silence
The muteness of disbelief
I am forced to ponder
A will far from my own
That only knows love and life
And to give it a new name
One that rings true

I wait in the silence
With Zechariah
Mute from my own deceptions
Waiting for new life
With a patience
Only God can give

What words of love and hope come to you in the silence?
What name comes to you?
What light shines in you?

Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 72: 1-2, 12-18, 18-10; Matthew 1:18-25

it begins
in dreams
and whispers
angels and infants
a knowing
an answering
a letting go
of fear
new life
appearing
to answer our need
for Love
and Goodness
set walking
upon the earth
spreading seeds
of Justice
in small acts
of kindness and care
that grow into
the tree of Life

What do you hear in dreams and whispers?
What small act of loving kindness will you do today?
How do you let go of fear?

A Prayer from A Dark December Night
Genesis 49:2,8-10; Psalm 72:1-17; Matthew 1:1-17

where is our name
in the thread of justice
woven through the ages?

from the voice of Abraham
to the cry from a manger
where we seek and strive

through imperfection
chaos and confusion
still hoping in what we hear

deep in our hearts
that will not forget
love’s longing for itself in us

one call
one voice
one Light of Christ

guide us now we pray
do not forget us
in these darkest nights
Amen

Where is your name in the thread of love and justice?
What voice do you follow?

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 21:23-27

we listen
to the utterance
of one
whose eye
is true
who hears
what God says
in love
and kindness
and compassion
author
of Life
we follow
this path
set free
from delusions
of our mind
we live
in God’s
Holy Spirit

What do you listen to?

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

overflowing
with love
and joy
and peace
in God’s presence
we leave
our fears
and anxieties
and share
all that we have
been given
by the Holy Spirit
guide of our minds
and hearts
in this season
of joy
we embrace
the new life
that inspires
all of our care
and concern
trusting more deeply
in God
each day

Do you rejoice in God’s Presence?
How do you share this Joy?

Sir 48:1-4,9-11; Psalm 80:2-19; Matthew 17:9-13

to what
mountaintop
would we ascend
that vision
would bring us all
to truth-

that in a moment
of transfiguration
all ages
would stretch
before us
and the dead
become living
and knowing

is this our soul
of morning prayer
is this darkness
our mountaintop
where light
descends
and word
is made flesh
to walk
upon the earth

Where is your mountaintop?
What do you see?

Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 11:16-19

like a tree
planted
by running water
we are nourished
by the flow
of God’s grace
living law
guiding
the way
to wisdom
we stretch
and grow
and breathe
into God’s presence
sending down
deep roots
yielding fruit
in accord
with God’s nature
of loving kindness

Are your roots planted deeply into God’s love?
Do you stretch and grow and breathe into God’s Presence?
When she played a flute for you did you dance?

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Luke 1:26-38

an angel
a messenger
of grace
appears
with an invitation
to leave
fear
and embrace
new Life
within
a life
a pure heart
can see-
answering yes
from a deep place
of knowing
that in God’s pure Light
and Love
we are safe

How do you say “yes” to God’s invitation?
Where does Mary appear in your life?
What is her message?

“We are always waiting aren’t we?
For the voice that breaks the silence,
for the stirring that means He is near?”

Isaiah 40: 25-31; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11: 28-30

I lift my eyes
and feel the blessing
of the stars
as my burden
is lifted
by the Spirit’s wings
yoked
to a love
eternal
my strength
is renewed
in a Hope
I dared not have
until the one
who names the stars
called to me…
Come!

What blessings come as you lift your eyes to the stars?
What “rest” do you find in God’s love?
How does God renew your strength?

Isaiah 40: 1-11; Psalm 96: 1-3, 10-13; Mt 18: 12-14

lost
we are found
by the One
who would leave all
to find us
embraced
we are lead
to see
the Glory of God
all else fades
as wilting
grass and flower
only His word
resounds
and glorifies
leveling all
with the justice
of love
and tenderness
we rejoice
we sing
we tell
the good news

Have you seen the Glory of the Lord?
Do you sing of His Glory?
Do you rejoice?