Friday December 23 Advent 4
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Psalm 93
A psalm of praise to God who is forever and who makes the world secure. “The waters lifted up their voice” means that although the raging sea (the original chaos) is threatening to drown everything, God’s voice is stronger. Appropriate for a Sunday when we celebrate God’s victory in the resurrection of Christ.
The raging sea can be circumstances in our lives, in our inner life, or in the life of the world.
Psalm 96
Praise to God who really will bring equity (equality) and righteousness (which is the old English translation of dignity and justice) to the whole of humanity.
Isaiah 33: 17-22 What’s Isaiah about?
God promises the time will come when Jerusalem will be a place of peace and prosperity and nobody will remember the oppressive Assyrians or their incomprehensible language or their luxurious yachts and war galleys. God will ensure the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem.
Luke 1: 57-66 What’s Luke about?
John is born, his mother having miraculously conceived in her old age, as did so many barren mothers in the Hebrew tradition. He is given a new name, unrelated to his family, and miraculously affirmed by his father, “God is gracious” or perhaps “Gift of God.” It is clear that John, who will become “the baptist” will be someone of immense importance.
This week’s collect:
Heavenly Father,
who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace,
to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour,
now fill us with your grace,
that we in all things may embrace your will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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