Christmas Scriptures & Questions

Christmas, Year A, 2007

December 24, 2007 (Christmas Eve)
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Scriptures

Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14(15-20) ____________________________________________ Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. ______________________________________________ How is the light being born in you right now? ______________________________ Psalm 96 Cantate Domino Sing to God a new song; * sing to God all the whole earth. Sing and bless God's holy Name; * proclaim the good news of salvation from day to day. Declare God's glory among the nations, * God's wonders among all peoples. For God is great and greatly to be praised, * more to be feared than all gods. As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols, * but it is God who made the heavens. Oh, the majesty and magnificence of God's presence! * Oh, the power and the splendor of God's sanctuary! Ascribe to God, you families of the peoples, * ascribe to God honor and power. Ascribe due honor to God's holy Name; * bring offerings and come into the courts of praise. Worship the Most High in the beauty of holiness; * may the whole earth stand in awe. Tell it out among the nations that God reigns! * God has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; God will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; * let the field be joyful and all that is therein. Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before God, who will come, * who will come to judge the earth. God will judge the world with righteousness * and the peoples with truth. Saint Helena Psalter ________________________________________________ Imagine this as the song that the angels sing to praise the coming of the Messiah. Let yourself join in the song, with great joy. _______________________________ The Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. _________________________________________________ What does the grace of God in Jesus mean to you? _______________________________ The Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. ___________________________________________________ When you realize that shepherds were regarded with great suspicion, as a dirty and dishonest business, how ironic is it that this is the context for the birth of the Messiah? _______________________________ __________________________________________________________| For a way to Pray with these scriptures, go to the following link for instructions about how to use Lectio Divina with the Sunday readings: Praying the Scriptures with Lectio (http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html)