December 19, 2017

Imagine!

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

December 18–24, 2017

Scripture Overview

Second Samuel 7 extols Yahweh’s choice of the family of David as the extraordinary vehicle for divine salvation. God now plans to do a new and unparalleled thing in the life of humankind. Mary’s song of wonder from Luke 1 serves as the psalm selection. It centers on her realization that human life will now never be the same. In the epistle reading, Paul rejoices that by the power of God the times are what they are. In the Gospel text, Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the “Son of God.” Overwhelmed by both the holiness and the enormity of the moment, Mary nonetheless consents to the will of God as brought by God’s messenger.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. Respond to the author’s question, “How shall we interpret good fortune or bad from the perspective of God’s good care for us?”
• Read Luke 1:47-55. How do you learn to embrace the mystery of holy time in the commonplace events of your day?
• Read Romans 16:25-27. How has God’s love shown through Jesus Christ proved to be an antidote to your fears?
• Read Luke 1:26-38. Where do you see the “lowly lifted up and the hungry filled with good things”? How can you participate in that gracious work of God? What fears can you name before God?

Respond by posting a prayer.

The young woman who came to see me one December was
in her early twenties and obviously pregnant. As she spilled
out her story, tears welled in her eyes. She had fallen in love, she
said. The young man had spoken of commitment, but when he
discovered they had conceived...

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Holy God, help me to name my fears with courage. Give me strength, love, and grace in the name of the child of Bethlehem who came that I might have and share abundant life. Amen.

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