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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Daily Bible Readings - December 22, 2011

1st READING

Hannah had been childless and had prayed fervently to the Lord for a child, which she then dedicated to the Lord and to His service. Recently, a young man in our community made his final vows and his elderly mother attended the service. She told us that when he was a child he had nearly died and she had prayed that if the Lord healed him she would dedicate him to His service. She had never, till that day, told him of this promise. The prayers of a mother are very powerful and can sway the heart of God.

1 Samuel 1:24-28
24 In those days, Hannah brought him up with her, along with a threeyear-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. 25 After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli 26 and said “Pardon, my lord! As you live my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. 28 Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left Samuel there.

P S A L M

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8
R: My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
1 “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.” (R) 4 “The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. 5 The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.” (R) 6 “The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts.” (R) 8 “He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage. (R)

G O S P E L

In her song of praise to the Lord, Mary extols His goodness, mercy and kindness, particularly to the poor and the helpless. God had done extraordinary things in her life in making Mary the mother of His Son, Jesus. Yet it had come at a great cost and Mary was willing to make herself unreservedly available to the Lord and to His purposes. If we, too, want God to do great things for us, we must follow Mary’s example of self-offering and abandonment to God.

ALLELUIA
R: Alleluia, alleluia
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 1:46-56
46 Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generation will call me blessed: 49 the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” 56 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

my reflections
t h i n k : T he prayers of a mother are very powerful and can sway the heart of God.

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Peter 1-5

1 Peter 1-5

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