Wednesday
Pray for those who don’t know God’s love.
Weekly Theme January 4 through 10 (Special Edition)
The Spirit of God: Prays
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
(Romans 8:26-27)
This week we are going to do something different with the journal. Rather than having scriptures to read and reflect upon, we will take the time to sit in prayer with God. We will have suggested prayers for each day, but take this time to be with God.
Monday
Pray for our world.
Tuesday
Pray for our community.
Wednesday
Pray for those who don’t know God’s love.
Thursday
Pray for those who are hurting.
Friday
Pray for your family.
Saturday
Pray for the church.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Angels We Have Heard On High
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Refrain
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Refrain
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Refrain
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Refrain
Reflection
This song is an English translation of a traditional French
carol whose author is unknown. It retells the story of Christ’s birth in Luke 2.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The high point of Luke’s story is not the birth but the
proclamation to the shepherds that there is “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” How does the good news of Christ’s birth and return cause you great joy?
Friday, January 2, 2015
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing halleluiah
Christ the savior is born
Christ our savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God
Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at thy birth
Jesus Lord at thy birth
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing halleluiah
Christ the savior is born
Christ our savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God
Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at thy birth
Jesus Lord at thy birth
Reflection
This is probably the most famous Christmas song.
Congregations worldwide sing this Christmas carol as it has been translated into more than 140 languages. It was written by Father Joseph Mohr and first performed in 1818. There are many romanticized versions about its writing and
performance in 1818 with little evidence. It is true though that it was sung by French, English, and German troops during the World War I Christmas truce of 1914, as it was a song that everyone knew. This truce was a
series of unofficial ceasefires where troops celebrated
Christmas together and sang songs like Silent Night.
Although only sporadically there is hope that Christ can bring us together even in the depths of the worst of our humanity. Many of us live our lives with perpetual enemies.
Maybe this Christmas we can call a cease fire and let go and let God. We can find hope in the birth of Christ to let go of our grudges and sing about a Silent Night. What anger do you need to let go of and give to God?
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Coventry Carol
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child
By by, lully, lullay, thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling
For whom we do sing
By by, lully lullay?
Herod, the king
In his raging
Charged he hath this day
His men of might
By by, lully, lullay, thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling
For whom we do sing
By by, lully lullay?
Herod, the king
In his raging
Charged he hath this day
His men of might
In his own sight,
All young children to slay
That woe is me
Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Neither say nor sing
By by, lully lullay!
All young children to slay
That woe is me
Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Neither say nor sing
By by, lully lullay!
Reflection
This is by far one of the saddest Christmas songs ever written. Its author is unknown and its name is derived from the region in England where it was written. It comes from a mystery play that has long since been lost. The song itself describes the Massacre of the Innocents by Herod in the second chapter of Matthew. One could wonder how such a sad song survived all this time. The best answer seems to be that as human beings we have witnessed
horrible loss and tragedy at the hands of evil. It is important that with recent events in Newtown, CT that we do not
sugar coat Christmas and remember, as this song does, those who have been slaughtered at the hand of evil. Take time now to pray for the innocent who have been killed and their families as they grieve.
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