Today is the Seventh day of Christmas
Daily Office Morning Prayer Readings for December 31: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 46 and 48:
Isaiah 26:1 to 9; 2nd Corinthians 5:16 to 6:2; John 8:12-19:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
We are always in need of refuge and strength. We need a very present help in our time of trouble. Today we suffer from a triple medical sickness around this country, the flu, something called RSV, and various variants of Covid. There is also present among us in this country a tribal, gang-like mentality of no tolerance for anyone different than ourselves. And lastly, there are global threats with other world powers. None of this makes sense for a Merry Christmas.
This is a time we really need God. God was born among us in order to reconcile us back to God. God was born among us to teach us how to live in loving relationship with each other. In the Gospel accounts Jesus often went off to a quiet and deserted place to be alone and pray. This Psalm 46 also has the words, “Be still and know that I Am God!” In the midst of our anxiety more relevant words cannot be found.
God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God (individually and together) for help always, but most especially, in this time of our national and global human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: For the Future of the Human Race (BCP p. 828)
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 