Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
How is it with your soul?
Monday, December 23, 2013
Fourth Week of Advent
Malachi 3:1-2
Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire.
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.Â
Over all of Israel the bright moon shines. And it shines over all of Europe and Asia and the Americas. The world has not grown in 2000 years, but our awareness of it has. We have named many more places and things in those millennia. Now as always this is the moment for baby Jesus, and returning to the hillside near Bethlehem is all there is to do.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.Â
“We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us.” As you come toward me I shrink away at first, until I see how deep your eyes are, how clear your forgiveness is, and feel in my soul the invitation of your outstretched arms.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.Â
What magic is there on a starry, starry night? What magic is there in this waiting for the angels? What majesty, what magnitude, what touch of joy and fear holds me up and then knocks me down?
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;Â
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Suddenly you are here, but you are always here. You have always been here and always will be here. Suddenly I am alive and awake and know that I have always been loved.
O night, O Holy night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy night , O night divine!
Receive me, Lord, into your arms. The “yes” you teach me to say is the only word I need. Silence seems to be your native language, when you are heard most clearly. And this invitation I feel into your silence I know is sweet and true.
