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| VILLA ALESSA - GAZEBO OFFICE December 31, 2023 |
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
LUKE 2:23
For every child that smiles with glee, it’s still about Jesus. For all the joy the season brings, every shiny, glowing thing, every Christmas light that shines without, it’s still about Jesus. Jesus is the light and glory of the Father's love so true. He came to earth to save us. The light and glory of the grace that sets us free who died and rose to conquer sin and death and misery. He is the hope that never fails who lives and reigns forever and His kingdom will forever prevail.
Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to the One who gave His life for you. He knows your every pain and strife and He will make all things new. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to the One who loves you more than all. He has a perfect plan and purpose and He will never let you fall. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. He will fill you with His grace and power and He will be your strength in the fight.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:22-40)
God will guide your way not in your own understanding. He has plans for you that are far beyond human comprehension. Put your faith in the Lord and it will be credited to you an act of righteousness. The Lord will bless you with His love and kindness, transform you by His grace and holiness, and reward you with His joy and happiness. He will be your treasure and your delight and He will fill you with His glorious light. He will renew your mind and your heart and He will give you a new and fresh start. Nothing is impossible with the Lord.
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. The Lord took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him. (Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3)
God remembers forever the covenant that He made binding for a thousand generations His faithful love and grace, His holy law and truth, His merciful kindness and peace. He keeps His promises to those who fear His name and He shows his mighty deeds to those who trust His ways. He teaches His statutes to those who seek His face and He guides His precepts to those who walk in His light. The Lord forgives His people for their sins and mistakes and He heals their wounds and restores their brokenness.
Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise; proclaim all his wondrous deeds. Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Look to the Lord in his strength; constantly seek his face. You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. He remembers forever the covenant that he made binding for a thousand generations which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9)
God who had made the promise is trustworthy. He never lied or changed His mind, He kept His word through all the ages, He was faithful and kind. He fulfilled His plan and purpose, sent His Son to save the world. He was gracious and generous. He gave His Spirit to His people, He empowered them to live and love. He was gentle and wonderful. By faith, obey the Lord and you shall surely receive your inheritance. We are the heirs of Christ and inherit the kingdom, a resurrection from the dead and a glory that is everlasting.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age—and Sarah herself was sterile— for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. (Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19)
Lord Jesus, You are the light of the world, the Word was made flesh and lived among us, and we have seen Your glory, as the only Son of the Father. We reflect with thankful hearts on the wonder of Your birth, the love You expressed when you left. Your glory to come to earth was like a beacon, shining brightly in the night, filling the world with the radiance of the Father’s glorious light.
Here I am Lord, I present myself to You. I’m a broken and contrite spirit yielding to You. I bow before You and empty myself of my own self-righteousness. I leave myself open before You holding nothing back. See me Lord and accept me now in all my human frailty. Cleanse me now I pray, wash me thoroughly here today. I humbly offer myself as a living sacrifice as I long to please and honor You in all I do. Complete Your work in me as I give unto You, this body You’ve given me, my heart, mind, and soul so, I can learn to be a holy, living sacrifice, to heed to Your will, an open, willing vessel to offer You my skill. With all the company of heaven, we worship, saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, to Him be glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen
Pericope:
II: The Infancy Narrative
THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE / THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
Luke 2:22-38 / 39-40
II. The Patriarch Abraham
THE COVENANT WITH ABRAM / BIRTH OF ISAAC
Genesis 15:1-21 / 21:1-21
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
GOD'S FIDELITY TO THE PROMISE
Psalm 105:1-43
V. Examples, Discipline, Disobedience
FAITH OF THE ANCIENTS
Hebrews 11:1-40
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat