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?
Has God’s love and light and peace found a home in you?

1John 1: 1-4; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20: 1-8

no longer
entombed
the Word of Life
has been made visible
seen
and heard
touched
with our hands
we are
the ones
He loved
we rejoice
as the light
dawns upon
our hearts-
giving
thanks
we are no longer
locked
in time
as we enter
God’s 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 every step
your face
shines upon us
a Light
to show the way
when it feels
no one
can be trusted
we take
refuge
in you
commending
our Spirit
into you hands
we see
a Glory
in our giving
enduring
to the end
in your saving Grace

To whom do you entrust your Spirit?

Isaiah 52: 7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1: 1-18

how beautiful
His feet
upon the mountains
bringing glad tidings
and a song to our heart
we feel His saving power
as the living word
reflects God’s glory
our sins and our suffering
are healed
in His dwelling
among us
this enduring love
heals our fragments
and varied ways
uniting us
with Him
coming into being
through Him
this light
in our darkness
guiding our way
revealing
God to us–
revealing
God with us–
revealing
God in us–
a fullness in which
we all have a share
with love following
upon love

Do you accept the gift of this day?
Do you hear His new song in your heart?
Do you feel His saving power?

2Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16; Ps 89: 2-5, 27, 29; Romans 16: 25-27; Luke 1:26-38

the Holy Spirit comes
through a woman
her faith
carries
new Life
in God’s
own way
beyond
the king
beyond
the throne
a womb
is chosen
to bear
the Truth
to hearts
that shall know
the Lord
and sing
of His goodness
and wisdom
forever
living
in His love
the mystery
that was hidden
is now revealed
we are overcome
with joy

Do you have the faith to say “yes”?
Are you overcome with joy?

Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10-14; Luke 1: 57-66

out of the silence
a God given name
is spoken
preparing the way
for one to come
who out of
impossibility
will bring us
all we need
to live
in love
and peace
in a world
gone wrong
repent
and turn
your heart
rejoice
for something
new is here

Have you turned your heart to God?
Are you ready for his Word in your life?
Do you rejoice?

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

The angel appears
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
God’s Word
creates–
bringing 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?