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 bring
God’s will
into our lives
leaving behind
an old covenant
of sacrifices
holocausts
and sin offerings
for God’s true desire
His will to love-
we turn our face to Him
no longer withdrawn
we are purified
given new life
by one who
stands firm
in strength
and greatness
to the ends of
all the earth-
to hearts who know him
they  shall have peace

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

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

letting go
of fear
we receive
new life
in the Holy Spirit
of God’s glory
seeking
our consent
we pray
for the courage
to say yes
to God’s justice…
that God’s love of all
may flourish
and the poor may be rescued
when they cry out
and the afflicted
when they have no one to help
we listen to God’s dreams
and follow

Can you let go of your fear?
Do you see justice as God’s love of all?
Do you listen to and follow God’s dreams?

Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Psalm 71:1-4,7-8,17; Matthew 1:1-17

from age to age
God’s grace
flows through
the people
revealing
a Light
of Love
that comes
as Justice
to any eye
and heart
open to see

each name
written
in the heart
of its author
is called out
in hope
of return
to God’s peace
a peace
the world cannot give

Do you hear the call of Peace?
Do you answer the cry to love?

Isaiah 54:1-10; Psalm 30:2-13; Luke 7:24-30

the dawn
brings
rejoicing
after a night
of mourning
we awake
to the Presence
of God

beloved
of God
we will not
be forsaken
or abandoned
as we may be
by the world

for our souls
are safe
in the steadfast
love
and care
of God

Do you feel safe?

Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Psalm 85: 9-14; Luke 7:18-23

Where is
the one God
of whom
there is no other
forming light
creating darkness
making well being
creating woes
doing all things?

Where is the justice
that descends
like the dew
like gentle rain
that the earth
opens to
and salvation
buds forth?

Where is the justice
that springs up?

Do the blind see?
Do the deaf hear?
Do the poor hear good news?

Where is the God
we turn to
to be safe?

Where is our faith?

Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34: 2-3,6-7,17-19, 23; Matthew 21:28-32

crying out
from our poverty
the Lord
hears
and answers
crushed in Spirit
he saves
close
to our broken hearts
he comforts
hearing the “yes”
behind our “no”
we are raised up
to live beyond
the world’s deceptions
and pride
and follow
the voice
that calls us
to mercy
and justice
we live in
God’s love
of All

Where do you take refuge?
Where do you gather strength?

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?
Who is your authority?

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

let the one
with two coats
give to the one
who has none
the one with food
should do the same
see how unselfish
we are gathered in
and renewed
in His love
that is near
standing guard
over our hearts
over our minds
we are filled
with strength
and courage
confident and unafraid
our joy complete
God’s own peace
beyond our understanding
but not beyond
our love

Where is your second coat?
Have you dismissed all anxieties from your mind?
Have you felt the unquenchable fire of God’s love?

Sirach 48: 1-4; 9-11; Psalm 8: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Mat 17: 9-13

unknowing
unseeing
in fear
we destroy
that which
would save
Lord
make us turn
to you
let us see
your face
and know
your care
and protection
hear your whispers
as you bring
new life to us
we turn with you
from our wrath
to love
and rest
in your friendship
and peace

Do you recognize Him?
Can you turn from your violence?
Have you turned your heart to God?

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?