1 Samuel 1: 24-28; 1 Samuel 2: 1-7; 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
renewed
not by any merit
of our own
or worthiness
but by gracious love
given freely
to one who
would receive
his mercy

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

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

seen
by God
in purest Light
my soul
leaps
for joy
and sings
in thankfulness
and praise
of the Glory
that comes to us
through
the faces
of the ones
we love

Have you been seen by God’s purest Light?
Do you experience it as Love?

Isaiah 7: 10-14; Psalm 24: 16; Luke 1:26-38

She listened.

She heard.

She pondered.

She said yes my Lord.

Do you listen?

Do you hear?

Do you ponder?

Do you say “yes” my Lord?

Who is your Lord?

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

ready
to hear
the angel
speak
even in
our old age
and barrenness
His Word
creates
bring a message
that is ever-new
leading us
out of the darkness
of unknowing
into the clarity
of His Light
we put our
hope and trust
in Him
and come out
of muteness
to sing His Glory!

Do you hear the angel speak?
What are you hearing?
How do you sing your praise?

Jeremiah 23: 5-8; Psalm 72: 1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1: 18-25

God with us
the Lord our Justice
His love
abundantly given
for us
the Holy Spirit
upon us
we hear the angels
and are not afraid
saved from
our sin
we no longer live
in the scarcity
of the land
but in
the generosity
glory
and goodness
of our God

Do you listen?
Do you hear?
Do you act?

Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1Thess 5:16-24, John 1:6-8; 19-28

waiting
preparing
for Him to come
bearer of Spirit
Truth and peace
a world at war
with itself
awaits-
our prayer
will not cease
holding fast
to what is good
we test everything
in light of Him
whose mercy
holds no bounds
our broken hearts
will be healed
prisoners
will be set free
our hunger filled
a new garden grown
in his light
justice and praise
spring forth
my soul rejoices
in my God

Do you dare hope?
Do you pray always?

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 us
Lord make us turn
to you
let us see
your face
and know
your care
and protection
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?

Isaiah 41: 13-26; Psalm 145: 1 and 9, 10-11,12-13; Mt 11: 11-15

in the flourishing of earth
we will see Him
redeemer
the one who says
“fear not
I will help you”
the waters will flow
and the desert
will flower
we will see
and understand
that Elijah has come
no longer subject
to the violence of men
we live
under the power of love
and faithfulness
we know
our true God
through his Son
and remain
in his goodness
and compassion
to all

Do you hear the prophets?
How do you know your true God?
Do you experience the abundance of God’s love and mercy?

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

laboring
we are burdened
having lost
sight
of our God
we are weak
and fainting
leading lives
of destruction
until we hear
His voice
“Come to me”
and we enter
His rest
and learn
from Him
we lift
our eyes
and see our Creator
our strength renewed
in our hope
in Him
His kindness
and compassion
beyond
our imagining
we soar

Have you grown weary and burdened in your labor?
Where do you find rest?
Does your hope in God give you strength?