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 of love
into our lives
leaving behind
an old covenant
of sacrifices
holocausts
and sin offerings
we turn
our face to Truth
no longer
withdrawn
we are set free
and given new life
by one who
stands firm
in strength
and greatness
to the ends of
the earth-
to hearts that know Him
He shall be peace

Do you see God’s will as love?
Does joy leap within you?

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

angels
bearing
new life
speak
to our fear
and release it
revealing
new places
of love
and strength
and refuge
within
God’s Being
bringing
Good News
for those who live
in terror
and war
freeing us
to lay down
our arms
and live
in God’s peace

Have you been released from your fear?
Have you laid down your arms?

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

letting go
of fear
we receive
new life
Holy Spirit
of God’s glory
seeking us
in our consent
we pray
for the courage
to say
yes
to God’s justice…
that God’s love
of all
may flourish

 Can you let go of your fear?
Do you see justice as God’s love of all?

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?

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

given sight
the veil
is lifted
and we see
beyond
light and dark
well-being and woe
to the One
who is All
creator
designer
and maker
of Life
to be lived
not wasted
springing  forth
from the earth
like gentle rain
from the sky
kindness
and truth
meet
justice and
peace kiss
as Good News
is proclaimed

What do you see?
What do you hear?

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?

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

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?

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 41:13-20; Psalm 145:1 and 9, 10-13; Matthew 11:11-15

suffering
violence
the afflicted
and needy
seek water
in vain
until ears
are opened
and a voice
is heard
in the prophets
coming
a kingdom
of heaven
unfolds
in the land
a flow
of mercy
and kindness
and compassion
as we know
who we are
in God
and share
our abundance

Do you know who you are in God?
Do you share it?