We look at God's audacious request to Mary and Mary's bold response.

 

READING

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.

 

PRAYERS

Purify our conscience, O Lord, as we  offer our prayers and petitions with a wholesome heart -- “Come, Lord Jesus.”

+ O Emmanuel, visit those who do not know of your coming, and who have not been told of your presence, open their minds to your merciful love and be born in their hearts; 

+ O Key of David, unlock our complacency, that we may tend to the fearful and lowly, lift up the poor and downtrodden, fill the hungry with good things, and serve your beloved with mercy and love;   .

+ O Root of Jesse, be with scientists and medical teams as they discover life enhancing treatments, and grant them the wisdom to use their findings for the good of all people; 

+ O Desire of Nations, bring peace to our families, churches, schools, and nations, that the whole world may know of your eternal harmony;

+ O Wisdom, give your gift of insight to all who are responsible for the governance of our Church, corporations, national governments, social agencies, schools, armed forces, and medical facilities, that through their faith and dedication, all the peoples of the world may prosper;

+ O Dayspring from on High, to the sick bring healing, to the dying relief, and to the dead your everlasting arms of mercy.

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.

 

Source: intercessions Year B: Keyed to the Themes of the Revised Common Lectionary © 2011 by Geralyn Wolf. Subscription purchased.

 

MUSIC

Holy is your name (Magnificat)

David Haas

 

O Come, O come, Emmanuel

Darren Hodder

 

Watchmen, tell us of the night

Aaron & Ben Devries