Scriptures and Reflection Questions for 4 Advent

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
4 Advent; Year B,
December 18, 2011
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Collect

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus
Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
 Amen.
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year B
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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:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

The Episcopal Church also publishes a Weekly Bible Study prepared by a current seminarian
studying the scriptures for this week. ecusa.anglican.org/107902_116094_ENG_HTM.htm
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The Lessons

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Canticle 15
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
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2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from
 all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am
 living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." Nathan said to
 the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you."

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant
David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have
not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt
to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I
 have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any
of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel,
saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" Now therefore thus you shall
say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture,
from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with
you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I
will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And
I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may
live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them
no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel;
and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you
that the LORD will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure
forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

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How do you find peace and a secure sense of belonging?

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Canticle 15

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.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
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What promises of God would you claim thankfully today?
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Romans 16:25-27

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation
of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret
 for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made
known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring
 about the obedience of faith -- to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to
whom be the glory forever! Amen.
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How might you ask God to strengthen you?
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Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called
Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.
The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one!
The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what
 sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,
 for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the
Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor
David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will
be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The
angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be
called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived
a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing
will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord;
let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
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How might Mary's obedience be an inspiration for your own response to God's message?
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On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection offering a thought
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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
  We aspire to...
     worship weekly
     pray daily
     learn constantly
     serve joyfully
     live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org