Daily Prayers for December 21
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Song “Vamos Todos al Banquete”
Come now and join the feast : right here in the belly of the beast!
Psalm 106:1 – 5
Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good : for his mercy endures for ever.
Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord : or show forth all his praise?
Happy are those who act with justice : and always do what is right!
Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your -people : and visit me with your saving help;
that I may see the prosperity of your elect and be glad with the gladness of your -people : that I may glory with your inheritance.
Come now and join the feast : right here in the belly of the beast!
Isaiah 11:1 – 9 Luke 1:39 – 56
Come now and join the feast : right here in the belly of the beast!
Contemporary theologian Harvey Cox has written, “Like the jester, Christ defies custom and scorns crowned heads. Like a wandering troubadour, he has no place to lay his head. Like the clown in the circus parade, he satirises existing authority by riding into town replete with regal pageantry when he has no earthly power. Like a minstrel, he frequents dinners and parties. At the end, he is consumed by his enemies in a mocking caricature of royal paraphernalia. He is crucified amidst snickers and taunts with a sign over his head that lampoons his laughable claim.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, help us live so foolishly for you that we draw onlookers and those who would deride us. And while they watch and mock, change all our hearts that we might learn to laugh at the foolishness this world calls normal and run away with the circus that is real life. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
