Faith Daily | 21 December 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - Advent Three APBA p 468

Almighty God,

you have made us and all things to serve you:

come quickly to save us,

so that wars and violence shall end

and your children may live in peace,

honouring one another with justice and love;

through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord,

who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 1: 39-45

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Alan Dann

I will never cease to be amazed and filled with puzzlement and wonder at nature’s way of reproduction. The recipe is too complicated for me to understand so it is for me to just accept and wonder. In this technologically advanced world we know what to do to allow conception to take place in a laboratory we know what happens and why it happens but who thought up nature’s way of doing things in the first place?

So it is right that we are left to puzzle when two additional predicaments are lobbed in the way. Firstly Elizabeth is of great age and certainly beyond normal child bearing capabilities and Mary, we are told, is a virgin.

It may be flippant, but there have been many times in my life when the Holy Spirit (who, incidentally, watches over my right shoulder) has quickly hopped in and guided my thoughts, words and actions.

Maybe, in both Elizabeth and Mary’s joyful experiences, God’s Holy Spirit has played a vital role.

We are left to wonder…….

FINAL PRAYER: APBA p473

Gracious God,

you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son:

as we prepare to celebrate his birth,

make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word,

and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works.

We ask this through hm whose coming is certain,

whose Day draws near,

your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.