This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context.
Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. It is provided beneath the specific reading the words are in.
Collections of or meditations on scriptures dealing with principles similar to those addressed in particular readings are hyperlinked after those readings.
Excerpts collected in yellow at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him.
Excerpts collected in green at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do.
Reading I: Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
said, Speak = דָּבַר = dabar Blue Letter Bible to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing; to speak with one another, talk; answer; pronounce; teach; use (entreaties), utter; to lead, to guide; to direct a people; admonish; to speak kindly, console; to speak friendly, peaceably with anyone; to announce welfare; appoint; bid; commune; promise; tell; bring into order, subdue; speak with, by, or by means of a person; speak of, about
tell = אָמַר = 'āmar Blue Letter Bible certify; declare; command, promise, to intend; to avow, to avouch; bear forth, bring to light; to speak, utter; say in one's heart, think
bless = בָּרַךְ = bāraḵ Blue Letter Bible to kneel; praise, salute; celebrate, adore, congratulate; adore, adore with bended knee; pay homage; cause to prosper, prospered by God; be adored; invoke God; ask for a blessing
Say—see “tell” above
bless—see above
keep = שָׁמַר = šāmar Blue Letter Bible to keep, guard, observe, give heed; retain, treasure up (in memory); preserve; attend to; have charge of; keep watch and ward; protect; take heed, take care, beware; hedge about; be circumspect; regard
face = פָּנִים = paniym Blue Letter Bible person; countenance; before and behind, toward, in front of; in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of; turned toward; turn one’s face toward; on account of; acts done with a solemn sense of presence; to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on; to bow down before; in front of
shine = אוֹר = 'ôr Blue Letter Bible to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine; to be or become light, shine; to be illuminated; to become lighted up
upon = אֵל = 'ēl Blue Letter Bible to, unto (of motion); direction, not necessarily physical motion; concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of; in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to); in among; denoting motion towards; tens to anything; verge to or towards any place; turning or direction; even to; in respect to; because of; concerning; the direction of the mind; concerning; according to; motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among; the direction of the mind; directed or disposed towards
be gracious = חָנַן = ḥānan Blue Letter Bible to be gracious, show favour, pity; have mercy on; be shown consideration; to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; considering and sparing;
look upon = נָשָׂא = nāśā' Blue Letter Bible to lift, bear up, carry, take; to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure; bear continuously; suffer, bear with; take away sin/punishment, expiate; pardon; forgive; accept; take, receive, take hold of; lift up the soul to; accept the person of; receive prayer; be favorable to; have respect to as a petitioner; lift up to oneself; help, aid
give= שׂוּם = suwm Blue Letter Bible to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give; to put, place, set, appoint, make; ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix; set in place, plant, fix; cast in; steadfastly; prepare; station; ay (violent) hands on; cast in; convey; heap up; set in array; to propound, explain; direct, turn; render; prepare; direct toward, pay attention to; put in position
peace = שָׁלוֹם = šālôm Blue Letter Bible completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; safety; health, prosperity; quiet, tranquility, contentment; friendship, concord
invoke—see “give” above
name = שֵׁם = šēm Blue Letter Bible name; reputation, fame, glory; honor, authority, character; renown, report; memorial, monument
upon = עַל = ʿal Blue Letter Bible upon; beside; in addition to; together with; with; beyond, over (of excess); above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence); around (of contiguity or proximity); down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion); state of resting on; wearing or clothed with; something superadded; covering, protecting; surpassing, going beyond; a cause of; unto or towards; burden; incumbent on; in the manner of, in accordance with; elevation or pre-eminence; together with
Bless—see above
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles--God’s Ways Give Security
Wisdom Principles--We Should Strive to Live in God’s Presence
Wisdom Principles--God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him
***
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3; 5, 6, 8
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations* on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
bless = בָּרַךְ = bāraḵ Blue Letter Bible invoke God; ask for a blessing; to kneel; praise, salute; celebrate, adore, congratulate; adore, adore with bended knee; pay homage; cause to prosper, prospered by God; be adored
pity = חָנַן = ḥānan Blue Letter Bible to be gracious, show favour, pity; have mercy on; be shown consideration; to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; considering and sparing
bless—see above
face = פָּנִים = paniym Blue Letter Bible person; countenance; before and behind, toward, in front of; in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of; turned toward; turn one’s face toward; on account of; acts done with a solemn sense of presence; to stand before, i.e. wait upon, be in attendance on; to bow down before; in front of
shine = אוֹר = 'ôr Blue Letter Bible to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine; to be or become light, shine; to be illuminated; to become lighted up
upon = אֵת = 'ēṯ Blue Letter Bible with, near, together with; from; among; nearness and vicinity; possession of a thing in the mind; in one's possession or keeping; in one's knowledge or memory; intercourse of different kinds with another
way = דֶּרֶךְ = dereḵ Blue Letter Bible way, road, distance, journey, manner; path; mode; manner, habit, way; course of life; mode of action
be known =יָדַע= yāḏaʿ Blue Letter Bible to perceive and see, find out and discern; to discriminate, distinguish; to know by experience; to recognize; be acquainted with; to know (a person carnally); to know how, be skillful in; to have knowledge, be wise; to be made known, be or become known, be revealed; to be instructed; privy to; seeing; observe with the eyes; be aware of; to get to know, discover; to turn the mind to anything, to care about, to see about
all = כֹּל = kol Blue Letter Bible the whole; any, each, every, anything; totality, everything, of all kinds, every sort
nations = גּוֹי = gôy Blue Letter Bible nation, people; confluence of men
salvation = יְשׁוּעָה = yᵊšûʿâ Blue Letter Bible salvation, deliverance; welfare, prosperity; victory; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; aid
nations = לְאֹם = lᵊ'ōm Blue Letter Bible a people, nation
glad = שָׂמַח = śāmaḥ Blue Letter Bible to rejoice, be glad; gladden, make glad; to brighten up; make blithe or gleesome; cheer up; make merry; take pleasure in; joyful or cheerful
exult = רָנַן = ranan Blue Letter Bible to overcome; to cry out; shout for joy, give a ringing cry; triumph, emit a tremulous sound
peoples = עַם = ʿam Blue Letter Bible the whole human race; people, nation; persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men; kinsman, kindred, relatives; a people as a congregated unit; tribe, flock; folk; inhabitants of a city, locality
rule = שָׁפַט = šāp̄aṭ Blue Letter Bible act as law-giver, judge, governor giving law, deciding controversies and executing law, civil, religious, political, social; deciding cases; making known statutes; decide controversy, discriminate between persons in civil, political, domestic, and religious questions; to judge, govern, vindicate, punish; to act as law-giver or judge or governor; to rule, govern, judge; pronounce sentence; to execute judgment; to govern; condemn; defend; vindicate
equity = מִישׁוֹר = mîšôr Blue Letter Bible level place, uprightness; straightness; justice; equity
nations*--see “peoples” above
earth = אֶרֶץ = 'ereṣ Blue Letter Bible land, earth; country, territory, district, region; ground, soil; field; from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; element of the earth; earthy
guide = נָחָה = nachah Blue Letter Bible to lead, guide; by implication, to transport; govern
peoples—see “nations*” above
praise = יָדָה = yāḏâ Blue Letter Bible to throw, shoot, cast; laud, praise; to profess, confess; to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); (make) confess(-ion); praise, celebrate
all–see above
peoples—see “nations*” above
praise—see above
bless—see above
all–see above
ends = אֶפֶס = 'ep̄es Blue Letter Bible extremity; uttermost part; end
earth—see above
fear = יָרֵא = yārē' Blue Letter Bible to fear, revere, be afraid; to stand in awe of, be awed; reverence, honour, respect; tremble for joy
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles--God’s Ways Give Security
Wisdom Principles--We Should Strive to Live in God’s Presence
Wisdom Principles--God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him
Wisdom Principles--Don't Discriminate Against Foreigners
Wisdom Principles--God Sees and Understands all
***
Reading II: Galatians 4:4-7
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.
fullness = πλήρωμα = plērōma Blue Letter Bible that which fills up; that which has been completed; that which is (has been) filled; fulness, abundance; repletion; copiousness; flooded; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Satiety; full and perfect nature; the aggregate of properties which constitute the complete nature of a thing; filling up, completing, fulfillment
time = χρόνος = chronos Blue Letter Bible a space of time, whether long or short; implies duration, whether longer or shorter; time either long or short; interval; season; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon time; time in the abstract; a definite time, period; for a while, for a long or short time; in process of time; in course of time, after a time, after an interval; space of time after another, day after day; long time since, long ago; in course of time, at length; within a certain time; for a time, for a while; hereafter; after a time; lifetime, age; season or portion of the year
sent = ἐξαποστέλλω = exapostellō Blue Letter Bible send forth or away; dispatch; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon dispatch; to be dispatched; send forth; send away; discharge a projectile; emit, display
Son = υἱός = yhios Blue Letter Bible a descendant, one of the posterity of any one; one who depends on another or is his follower, equivalent to pupils; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon child; term of affection; inheritors of the nature of
born = γίνομαι = ginomai Blue Letter Bible to become, to take place, arise; to become, to come into existence; to begin to be, come to pass, happen; to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage; to be made, finished; be fulfilled; happen; be performed; be wrought; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon come into being; take place, come to pass; to be under control of
woman = γυνή = gynē Blue Letter Bible a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow; betrothed woman; in the vocative case, used in addressing a "woman," it is a term not of reproof or severity, but of endearment or respect; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon woman, opp. man; housekeeper; a term of respect or affection; mistress, lady; wife, spouse; mortal woman, opp. goddess
born—see above
law = νόμος = nomos Blue Letter Bible that which is assigned; usage, custom; law as prescribed by custom, or by statute; regulation; the standard for the administration of justice; the Mosaic law; the Pentateuch; the entire collection of the sacred books of the Old Testament; any law whatsoever; a precept or injunction; the rule of action prescribed by reason; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon anything assigned, a usage, custom, law, ordinance; a musical mode or strain; a song sung in honour of some god; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon that which is in habitual practice, use or possession; usage, custom; law, ordinance; of the law of God; statute, ordinance made by authority; melody, strain
ransom = ἐξαγοράζω = exagorazō Blue Letter Bible redeem, to buy, buy out; especially of purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom; payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off; to rescue from loss (improve opportunity); to buy up for oneself; buy up, to buy up for one's self, for one's use; to make a wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon to buy up; to redeem
receive = ἀπολαμβάνω = apolambanō Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon take or receive from another; receive what is one's due; accept when tendered; take of, take a part of a thing; take away; hear, learn; regain, recover; have rendered to one; demand an account; take apart or aside; cut off, intercept
adoption = υἱοθεσία = yhiothesia. Blue Letter Bible the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong; the placing as a son; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon adoption as a son
sons—see “son” above
sent—see above
spirit = πνεῦμα = pneuma Blue Letter Bible (1) Breath, wind; the vital principal by which the body is animated; a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting (2) the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son; never referred to as a depersonalised force; God's power and agency; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon blast, wind; breeze or influence; breathed air, breath; breath of life; divine inspiration
Son—see above
into = εἰς = eis Blue Letter Bible unto the end; continual; into, unto, to, towards, for, among; directed toward, or looks to; in reference to something; with respect to, in reference to; as regards; the end which a thing is adapted to attain; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon towards, in regard to
heart= καρδία = kardia Blue Letter Bible man's entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements; used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life; the seat of moral nature and spiritual life; the vigour and sense of physical life; the centre and seat of spiritual life; seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours; the faculty and seat of the intelligence; the will and character; the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions; the middle or central or inmost part of anything; will and character; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the seat of feeling and passion; inclination, desire, purpose
crying = κράζω = krazō Blue Letter Bible inarticulate cries, from fear, pain etc; to croak; to cry out, cry aloud, vociferate; speak with a loud voice; scream; shriek, exclaim, intreat; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon scream, shriek, cry, bawl, shout; call to; clamor for
father = πατήρ = patēr Blue Letter Bible from a root signifying a nourisher, protector, upholder; the originator and transmitter of anything; one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way; creator, preserver, guardian and protector; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon respectful mode of addressing persons older than oneself; father, author
slave = δοῦλος = doulos Blue Letter Bible a slave, originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean one who gives himself up to the will of another; a slave, bondman, man of servile condition; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests; a servant, attendant; serving, subject to; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon bondman or slave
son—see above
son—see above
heir = κληρονόμος = klēronomos Blue Letter Bible one who obtains a lot or portion; a lot; to possess; one who receives by lot, an heir; one who has acquired or obtained the portion allotted to him; inheritor (literally or figuratively); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon one who receives a portion of an inheritance, an inheritor, heir; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon heir; the heir in possession; heir apparent
through = διά = dia Blue Letter Bible on account of this, for this cause; because of; by, by means of, by which means; to consider deeply; the ground or reason by which something is or is not done; on account of; the channel of an act; by occasion of, by reason of; instrument, or of the efficient cause; due to; instrument used to accomplish a thing, or of the instrumental cause in the stricter sense; the formal cause; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon through; the Instrument or Means; thanks to, by aid of; by reason of, on account of
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles--God’s Ways Give Security
Wisdom Principles--We Should Strive to Live in God’s Presence
Wisdom Principles--God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him
***
Alleluia: Hebrews 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
spoke = λαλέω = laleō Blue Letter Bible To say, utter, talk; to utter a voice or emit a sound; to utter articulate sounds; to use words in order to declare one's mind and disclose one's thoughts; preach; tell; promulgate; converse; commanding; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon talk, chat; speak
spoken—see “spoke” above
through = ἐν = en Blue Letter Bible in, by, with, among, under, at, near, by; in the presence of; within, in the course of; motion into something, entering into, mingling in; that which one either leads or brings with him, or with which he is furnished or equipped; the instrument or means by or with which anything is accomplished; aided by one, by the intervention or agency of someone, by (means of) one; the state or condition in which anything is done or anyone exists, acts, suffers; the form in which anything appears or is exhibited; the measure or standard; the things in (with) which one is busied; that in which other things are contained and upheld, as their cause and origin; that which gives opportunity; to exchange one thing for another; remaining, staying, continuing in some place, state, or condition; that in which any person or thing is inherently fixed, implanted, or with which it is intimately connected; of the whole in which a part inheres; of a person to whom another is wholly joined and to whose power and influence he is subject, so that the former may be likened to the place in which the latter lives and moves; ingrafted; in fellowship and union with; spiritual fellowship or union with; to be in the power of, be actuated by, inspired by; give self wholly to; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in, within, surrounded by; in the number of, amongst; in the presence of; in one's hands, within one's reach or power; depends on, rests with; implying both motion to and subsequent position in a place; in the practice of
prophet = προφήτης = prophētēs Blue Letter Bible one who speaks forth or openly; a proclaimer of a divine message; interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things; one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration; an inspired speaker; an interpreter or spokesman for God; one through whom God speaks; one who speaks forth by divine inspiration; a man filled with the Spirit of God, who by God's authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges the salvation of men; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon one who speaks for a god and interprets his will to man; interpreter, expounder of the will gods; minister and interpreter; expounder, declarer, proclaimer; possessor of oracular powers; harbinger; herald; revealer of God's will; inspired preacher and teacher; organ of special revelations from God; foreteller, prophet of future event
spoken—see “spoke” above
through—see above
Son = υἱός = yhios Blue Letter Bible a descendant, one of the posterity of any one; one who depends on another or is his follower, equivalent to pupils; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon child; term of affection; inheritors of the nature of
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles--We Should Strive to Live in God’s Presence
***
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
went = ἔρχομαι = erchomai Blue Letter Bible denoting either to come, or to go; signifies the act, in contrast with heko, which stresses the arrival; to come from one place to another; to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; to come to a thing; to go; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon start, set out; come or go; to go a journey; any kind of motion
in haste = σπεύδω = speudō Blue Letter Bible earnestly desiring; to haste, make haste; urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon get going, urge on, hasten; seek eagerly, strive after; promote or further zealously; press or urge on; exert oneself, strive eagerly or anxiously; to be anxious; show eagerness; to be troubled in mind, harassed
found = ἀνευρίσκω = aneuriskō Blue Letter Bible to find out by search; discover, implying diligent searching; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon find out; discover; win, gain; think out; invent
lying = κεῖμαι = keimai Blue Letter Bible to lie, to be laid; set; put or set in any place; destined, appointed; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be; lie; lie outstretched; lie down to rest, repose; remain; to be situated, lie or be in a place; posture, attitude, as a category; to be laid up, in store; to be set up, ordained, established; of laws, the law is laid down; to be laid down in argument, posited, assumed; to rest entirely or be dependent on him; to be found, occur; received; remain, endure
manger = φάτνη = phatnē Blue Letter Bible stall; manger; a crib (for fodder); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon manger, crib
made known = γνωρίζω = gnōrizō Blue Letter Bible communicating things before unknown; reasserting things already known; to make known; certify, declare; to come to know, discover, know; to become known, be recognized; to gain knowledge of, have thorough knowledge of; give to understand; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make known, point out; certify; gain knowledge of, become acquainted with, discover
message = ῥῆμα = rhema Blue Letter Bible that which is said; that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing; that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken; any sound produced by the voice and having definite meaning; subject matter of speech, thing spoken of; utterances in which God through someone declares his mind; the word by which something is commanded, directed, enjoined; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon that which is said or spoken, word, saying; subject of speech
told = λαλέω = laleō Blue Letter Bible To say, utter, talk; to utter a voice or emit a sound; to utter articulate sounds; to use words in order to declare one's mind and disclose one's thoughts; preach; tell; promulgate; converse; commanding; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon talk, chat; speak
heard = ἀκούω = akouō Blue Letter Bible harkin to; to attend to, consider what is or has been said; to understand, perceive the sense of what is said; to give ear to a teaching or a teacher; to comprehend; to perceive anyone's voice; to yield to, hear and obey; have regard to; to perceive the distinct words of a voice; to yield obedience to the voice; to perceive in the soul; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon hearken, give ear; listen to; obey; hear and understand
amazed = θαυμάζω = thaumazō Blue Letter Bible to wonder at, marvel; admire; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon wonder, marvel; honor, admire; say with astonishment
told—see above
kept = συντηρέω = syntēreō Blue Letter Bible to preserve, keep safe, keep close; to preserve (a thing from perishing or being lost); to keep within one's self, keep in mind (a thing, lest it be forgotten); keep closely together; conserve (from ruin); to remember (and obey); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon keep or preserve closely; keep it close; preserve, maintain; observe strictly; keep distance; watch one's opportunity; watch over, protect
reflecting = συμβάλλω = symballō Blue letter Bible to put one thing with another in considering circumstances; to bring together; to bring together in one's mind, confer with one's self; combine; ponder; bring together of one's property, to contribute, aid, help; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon throw together, dash together; store up, accumulate; jumble up together; to be profitable; come together; join, unite; contribute; fall in with one, meet him; compare; compare for the purpose of checking; reckon, compute; conclude, infer, conjecture, interpret; make out, understand; agree, arrange; agree upon, fix, settle
in = ἐν = en Blue Letter Bible in, by, with, among, under, at, near, by; in the presence of; within, in the course of; motion into something, entering into, mingling in; that which one either leads or brings with him, or with which he is furnished or equipped; the instrument or means by or with which anything is accomplished; aided by one, by the intervention or agency of someone, by (means of) one; the state or condition in which anything is done or anyone exists, acts, suffers; the form in which anything appears or is exhibited; the measure or standard; the things in (with) which one is busied; that in which other things are contained and upheld, as their cause and origin; that which gives opportunity; to exchange one thing for another; remaining, staying, continuing in some place, state, or condition; that in which any person or thing is inherently fixed, implanted, or with which it is intimately connected; of the whole in which a part inheres; of a person to whom another is wholly joined and to whose power and influence he is subject, so that the former may be likened to the place in which the latter lives and moves; ingrafted; in fellowship and union with; spiritual fellowship or union with; to be in the power of, be actuated by, inspired by; give self wholly to; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in, within, surrounded by; in the number of, amongst; in the presence of; in one's hands, within one's reach or power; depends on, rests with; implying both motion to and subsequent position in a place; in the practice of
heart= καρδία = kardia Blue Letter Bible man's entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements; used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life; the seat of moral nature and spiritual life; the vigour and sense of physical life; the centre and seat of spiritual life; seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours; the faculty and seat of the intelligence; the will and character; the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions; the middle or central or inmost part of anything; will and character; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the seat of feeling and passion; inclination, desire, purpose
glorifying = δοξάζω = doxazō Blue Letter Bible to magnify, extol, praise; ascribing honor to, acknowledging; to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendor; to make renowned, render illustrious; to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged; to honour, do honour to, hold in honour;to exalt to a glorious rank or condition; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon think, imagine; suppose; form or hold an opinion; magnify, extol; to be distinguished, held in honour
praising = αἰνέω = aineō Blue Letter Bible to speak in praise of, to praise; extol, to sing praises in honour to God; to allow, recommend; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon tell, speak of; praise, approve; advise, recommend; to commend
heard—see above
seen = ὁράω = horaō Blue Letter Bible to see with the eyes; to see with the mind, to perceive, know; to take heed, beware; to care for, pay heed to; to attend to; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon take, pay, or give heed; behold, perceive, observe; look out for, provide
told—see above
named = καλέω = kaleō. Blue Letter Bible call, bid, invite; summon; to call aloud, utter in a loud voice; to call i.e. to name, by name; to salute one by name; to call out, call forth from; to cause to pass from one state into another; to be called i. e. to bear a name or title; to be acknowledged, pass as; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon call, summon; invoke; call by name, name; to be called
Jesus = Ἰησοῦς = iēsous Blue Letter Bible Jehovah is salvation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Joshua
AND
(from Hebrew) = יְהוֹשׁוּעַ = yᵊhôšûaʿ Blue Letter Bible Jehovah is salvation; whose help or salvation is Jehovah; also rendered Joshua
name = ὄνομα = onoma Blue Letter Bible all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc.; of everything that the "name" covers; the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon name of a person or thing; give one a name; name, fame; to have a name, to be notable
angel = ἄγγελος = angelos Blue Letter Bible a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God; one of that host of heavenly spirits that, according alike to Jewish and Christian opinion, wait upon the monarch of the universe, and are sent by him to earth, now to execute his purposes; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon messenger, envoy; one that announces or tells; semi-divine being
conceived = συλλαμβάνω = syllambanō Blue Letter Bible to conceive, of a woman; take together; take or receive; clasp; catch; to seize, take one as prisoner; to seize for one's self; to take hold together with one, to assist, help, to succour; assist, take part with; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon collect, gather together, rally scattered troops; take with one, carry off; put together, close; enclose; comprehend, comprise; lay hands on, seize; buy up; seize the person of, apprehend, arrest, seize and hold; grasp the meaning of, comprehend; receive at the same time, enjoy together; of females, conceive; take with or besides, take as an assistant; take part with another, assist him; contributed towards persuading
Scriptures addressing similar matters are considered or collected at:
What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Nativity: The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles—God Sees and Understands All
***
What these readings tell us about God/our relationship with Him:
you shall bless
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you
be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly
give you peace!
I will bless them
his mercy
God have pity on us and bless
his face shine upon us.
may your way be known upon earth
among all nations, your salvation.
his mercy
May the nations be glad and exult
you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide
his mercy
May the peoples praise you
may all the peoples praise you!
may all the ends of the earth fear him!
his mercy
God sent his Son
born of a woman
to ransom those under the law
we might receive adoption as sons.
you are sons
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
you are no longer a slave but a son
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
God spoke to our ancestors
he has spoken to us
through the Son
the infant lying in the manger
the message that had been told them about this child
All who heard it were amazed
it had been told to them
he was named Jesus
the name given him by the angel
he was conceived in the womb
What these readings tell us to do:
you shall bless
invoke my name
let his face shine upon us
be glad and exult
[follow where] you guide
May the peoples praise you
praise you!
fear him!
went in haste
found
they made known the message that had been told them
heard
reflecting on them in her heart
glorifying and praising God
