Numbers 6:22-27; Ps 67: 2-3,5-8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

her heart
listens
her heart
reflects
treasuring
the gift
of her womb
a child
who knows God
as his father
who blesses
and keeps us
shines
his face
upon us
with grace
and kindness
mercy
and peace
we know
our salvation
our guide
has come
our hearts
rejoice
with her

Do you treasure all these things and listen to them in your heart?
Do you feel his face shine upon you?
Do you receive his blessing?

1John 2: 18-21; Psalm 96: 1-13; John 1:1-18

the trees
rejoice
the heavens
are glad
the sea
resounds
the plains
are joyful
as we sing
our joy
before the Lord
for truth
has come
into the world
foretold by the one
who knows
the hour
all lies
and darkness
pass away
as what was
from the beginning
emerges
in light
and we know
who we are

Do you hear the earth rejoice?
Do you sing your joy?

1John2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10; Luke 2:36-40

embracing the wisdom of age
in fasting and prayer
she waits
for the one
who will bring
Light and Life
the birth
of knowing
the Child
who sees past
illusion
deception
and the world’s
enticements
to God’s
essential Being
God’s will
for Love
flowing within
and among us
in Peace

For what do you wait?
What do you see?

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?