Saturday, December 24, 2016

Theotokos

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"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Theotokos

Oh Mary, Mother of God, who bore the Christ within your womb, blessed one whom the angels adore, and shepherd's praise-- be with us dearest one.

"Let it be with me according to your word."  With those words you received the gift of the Holy Spirit, a child to cherish, and were ordained of God to a ministry no one else would share.  You alone were to feel God growing within your womb.  You alone would nourish the Christ child at your breast.  You alone would share with the Father the holy  grief at the foot of the cross.  And this you did for us.

To lift up the lowly, and bring down the mighty--

To fill the hungry, and send the rich away empty--

"This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Simeon too, sang your song.  To him it was revealed the pain that you would endure.  A sword piercing your soul, as the sword pierced His side.  

You it was that bore the child whose holy calling was to die.  For us.  For you.  

You must have desired another name to give, than Yeshua, Savior, dying One.  To hold his hand at your own death, is every mother's hope.  But to lay the Child whom you once nursed, within a tomb, every mother's dread. 

But the mighty and rich would have their say for at least that one dark day.  

But the Father's love that lifted up you, would open wide the door of that dank dark grave.

From Bethlehem to the garden tomb, was a brief but grace filled walk. 

And from that empty grave we walked, Christ, the Risen One within.  

You bore the Holy Child within that we might bear him too.  To a world in need of holy hope, and of life born anew. 

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."



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