yes, day 4

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
"I belong to the Lord, body and soul," replied Mary, "let it happen as you say." (Luke 1:38 JBP)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 77

Scripture for the Day: Luke 1:57-80

Reading for Reflection:

I don’t know Who—or what—put the question.  I don’t know when it was put.  I don’t even remember answering.  But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone—or Something—and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life in self-surrender, had a goal. (Markings by Dag Hammarskjold)


On the surface, Dag Hammarskold’s words might indicate the yes is a one-time thing, after which everything just falls into place.  Like a first kiss, our first yes is precious and memorable, but it is only the beginning.  Life goes on, struggles continue, and the yes is continually re-invited…In saying yes again and again, we find a sense of our place in things, a glimpse of who we really are and how very precious each one of us is within the wondrous infinity of creation. (The Awakened Heart by Gerald G. May)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

            Come, thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in thee

Israel’s strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

 

 

Joy to those who long to see thee

Dayspring from on high appear

Come thou promised rod of Jesse

Of thy birth we long to hear

O’er the hills the angels singing

News, glad tidings of a birth

Go to him your praises ringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth

 

 

Come to earth to taste our sadness

He whose glories knew no end

By his life he brings us gladness

Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend

Leaving riches without number

Born within a cattle stall

This the everlasting wonder

Christ was born the Lord of all

 

 

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone,

By thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer
I have heard your call, my Lord, and respond with a yes that arises from the depth of my being. I know that if I follow close to you, nothing shall be able to separate me from your love. Amen. A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job)