Scriptures for Christmas Eve

How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it. Some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection. You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). We've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
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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.
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The Scriptures Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Psalm 98:1-10 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 ____________________________________________ Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 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. 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. __________ What is your dream for light and peace in our contemporary darkness? ________________________________________________________ Psalm 98:1-10 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things. With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory. The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations. He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord. Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord; when he comes to judge the earth. In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity. __________________ How would you describe the victory of God through Jesus? Enjoy the poetry of the earth's rejoicing. _________________________________________________________ Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ________________ What is your hope through your own "water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit"? _________________________________________________________ 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. _________________ What grasps your attention about this familiar story? What do you think was especially important for Luke as he wrote this account of the birth of Jesus? _______________________________________________________ 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)

Advent 3

The Scriptures Micah 5:2-5a Canticle 3 or 15 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 ____________________________________________ Micah 5:2-5a But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. __________ When have you seen leadership from an unexpected source? What can we learn from "the little clans," people without wealth and power? ________________________________________________________ Canticle 15 The Song of Mary Magnificat -- Luke 1:46-55 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever. __________________ A peasant girl speaks revolutionary words of reversal. What reversals of wealth and power would you welcome? _________________________________________________________ Hebrews 10:5-10 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ________________ How do you determine what the will of God is for you? _________________________________________________________ Luke 1:39-45 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." _________________ When have you shared deep joy with a friend? What new possibilities, new life might be opening for you?

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For a way to Pray with these scriptures, go to the following address for instructions
about how to use Lectio Divina with the Sunday readings:
http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html