Christian Community: What Jesus wants and how we get there (John 17:20-21)

The theme of this week’s readings has been living in Christian community. Today’s reading (John 17:20-21) tells us what Jesus wants that to look like: we are to be as closely knit to each other as Jesus is to the Father. That is a tall order, but this week’s readings gave us several directions on how to fulfill it.

 

One was do better than the world around us.  Ephesians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:17; and Romans 12:2  each told us to aim higher than the norms/standards of the general culture. As Romans 12:10  put it, we are to “outdo one another in showing honor” to each other, something we rarely see in the world at large.  We are to love on each other to extents and in ways that the world would not.  That is how we live out Jesus’ command that we are to love each other so well that the world will know us by our love. John 13:34-35.

 

Another was to subordinate our desires to those of our brothers and sisters, to focus on their good.  As Philippians 2:3-4  put it, we are to “value others above [ourselves], not looking to [our] own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Relatedly, Ephesians 4:17-24  and 25-32  told us to get rid of the junk in our own lives that either hurts others or hinders our ability to bless them.

 

We were also told to follow Jesus’ examples and directions. Matthew 11:29 told us to put His yoke around us and follow Him. Philippians 2:5  told us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” The WWJD  concept of the 1990s comes to mind. 

 

Do those things come naturally? No.  Do they require us to change our default modes of operating? Yes. Is that hard? Yes, at times. 

 

But as anyone who has received the blessings of Christian community will tell you, it is worth it, exponentially so.  So ask God for His help in doing these things. He will be glad to provide it, and you will be glad you did them.

 

Prayer:

Loving Father, help us to love each other like you and Jesus love each other. Help us to love beyond worldly norms, to put others first, to remember and follow Jesus’ examples. And help us to taste and see the goodness of the community you desire for us, and to be motivated by that to persevere and excel in these things.

Shining (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:6)

Today’s reading (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:6) tells us that God’s goodness can shine through individual believers, being delivered by us into the world around us.  2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of us "reflect[ing] the glory of the Lord."  2 Corinthians 4:2 describes us “setting forth the truth plainly.”  2 Corinthians 4:6 speaks of God’s light shining from our hearts. Those images are consistent with other scriptures instructing us to deliver God’s light. Matthew 5:16; Luke 8:16; John 3:21. Their consistent message is unmistakable: God expects us to deliver His light into an otherwise dark world. As one blogger wrote (before digital watches),  “Christians should be like the radium on a watch. We should absorb God’s light and make it available to others so they can organize their lives by it in a dark world.” 

So how do we do that? Today’s reading gives at least three insights. 

One is to ask for God’s help. Remember that we have that light because of God’s mercy. 2 Corinthians 4:1.   He wants that light to get out, and to get out through us, so he will give us the opportunities and means to do so.  We should therefore ask for His help in doing so; the odds are good that He will answer that kind of prayer. See John 14:13;  John 15:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15.  

Another is that we primarily do that through the way we live.  That is a powerful way of “setting forth the truth plainly.”  2 Corinthians 4:2.  We don’t have to hit people over the head with the gospel if we live it out on a consistent basis. Its beauty will shine through on its own. Although there are times when God calls us to explicitly declare the gospel, most of the time we spread it by living it out. The instruction to “preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words" comes to mind.

A third is to not be discouraged when others ignore or reject God’s light. 2 Corinthians 4:1  and 3-4, and other scriptures acknowledge the reality that not all will embrace God’s gracious overtures. Further, the unavoidable truth is that we are not always great at reflecting God’s goodness, but we'll get better if we keep trying.  God nonetheless expects us to try, despite those facts. 

 

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, help us to deliver your light into the world. Help us to live so that your love shines through our ordinary lives and to not be discouraged by either the darkness around us or our own missteps—help us to keep at it. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the light of this world. 

Community (1Corinthians 3:16-23)

This week’s readings have focused on individual believers becoming more Christ-like. Today’s reading (1 Corinthians 3:16-23) continues that focus, but on a corporate level, as a/the Church. 

That corporate focus is indicated by the Greek translated as “you” in verses 16 and 17; it is plural. See Youse, You Guys, Yous Guys, You Lot, You-uns, Yinz, You All & Y’all – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.  Indeed, that is reflected in many English translations; they translate the Greek with plural references (“ye” in the King James, “you yourselves’ and “you together”  in the New International Version, “all of you together” in the New Living Translation).  

So what does today’s reading tell us about the Church? Two things jump out.

First and foremost, it shows that God desires the Church to foster ongoing, intimate, relationship with Him. Verse 16 tells us that the Church is where His Spirit should “dwell” “in” our midst. The Greek underlying those words communicates a rich relationship. To “dwell” is to inhabit, reside, settle, be fixed and operative in something. “In’ connotes mingling, being ingrafted, in fellowship and union with. God wants the Church to be the means for lasting, infusing, interaction with His people.  That sounds a lot like what Jesus was talking about in John 17:20-24.  

Also, the Church is to produce relationships between believers that transcend those found in the world. Verses 17 and 18 tell us that God desires that we exceed “the standards of this age” in our love. That’s consistent with Jesus’ instruction that we are to live so that people know us by our love for each other. John 13:35.  Its also consistent with the idea that we are to be mutually supporting parts of the same body, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12-27; Romans 12:3-13,  and that we should “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24. God does not want us to settle for superficial relationship, He wants us to go much deeper.

So what does this reading tell us about how we get there? Several things.

One way is through humility. We are to contribute to our Church communities without vanity or a puffed-up sense of our importance. None of us are too good to hang with and love on any other person in the church or to take on any task that builds them up. See verse 18 and James 2:1-9. 

Another way is to ditch divisions and focus on the wonderful relationship we all share with Christ. See verses 21 and 22. We can’t let the tribalism of the culture at large or differences over such internal matters as worship styles or ministry focuses interfere with our relationships with our fellow members. What unites us—Christ and His love—is so much better than those things as to make differences over them immaterial. We are foolish to let those things get in way of the loving relationships Jesus wants us to have with each other.

Finally, we are to fully engage in Church community. As verses 22 and 23 suggest, God wants us to make the most of what the Church provides in order best distribute His love. That requires us to get off the sidelines and get involved.   Those things build relationships that directly deliver the love God wants to flow through His church—don’t miss out on them.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving us your Church. Draw us fully into it. Don’t let pride, shyness, or differences hinder our giving and receiving all the love you desire to distribute through it. Help us to love each other fully. We ask this in Jesus all loving name. 

Suffering (Luke 23:32-47)

Jesus’ passion worked far more good than I can comprehend, let alone discuss. So let me focus on just one of those goods: what it shows us about how to get through times of suffering. 

Jesus did suffer, and suffered far more horrifically than the gospel accounts describe, but He able to get through it victoriously.  How did he do that, what helped Him endure to a successful end?  Today’s reading shows us two ways.

One way was through prayer. In verse 34  he interceded for His executioners. In verse 46  He told the Father that He was surrendering His soul. Other scriptures reflect Jesus’ prayer at other times during His passion. He poured his heart out in the garden. Luke 22:41-44; Matthew 26:36-44; Mark 14:32-39. He made prayers of lament while on the cross. Matthew 27:46. He reported the final completion of His mission to the Father. John 19:28. And those are only the prayers that he spoke out loud; He doubtless kept up an internal dialog with the Father that the gospel writers couldn’t capture. That is consistent with other scriptures; the Psalms provide multiple examples of God’s servants coming to Him in the midst of their sufferings. See e.g. Psalms 6, 10, 22, 38, and 43.   

Another way Jesus coped was by focusing on others. During his passion He  sought forgiveness for those executing Him, He ministered to the repentant criminal,  He  made provision for His mother. Attending to those folks’ needs likely diverted some of His attention from His own pain. Although I have never suffered anything close to what Jesus experienced, I know that I have found respite in my times of suffering by serving others. Some ways to do that can be found here, here, here, here,  here, and here. Try them out when you are hurting; you will likely receive at least as much solace as you give. 

 

Prayer:

Jesus, we can never thank you enough for what you did through your passion, but let us thank you for at least this one thing: for showing how to cope with suffering. Draw us to you when we suffer. Help us to help others in their suffering. Help us through. Pour out your mercy, on and through us.

Luke 14:26?

Luke 14:26 is one of Jesus’ hard teachings. What are we to make of his statement that me must “hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters” to be His disciple? We can’t ignore it; Jesus’ effectively makes it twice, here and in Matthew 10:37 .  What are we to do with it? 

Let’s start by considering what it doesn’t teach; Jesus is not telling His disciples to reject their families. On a broad level, we know that scripture tells us to nurture our family relationships, Exodus 20:12,  Deuteronomy 5:16,  Proverbs 6:20. and that Jesus came to fulfill scripture. Matthew 5:17-18. We also know that Jesus condemned folks who sidestepped their family obligations. Mark 7:8-13. Bringing the matter into finer resolution, the Greek word translated as "hate" does not always mean to detest or loathe, it can also mean a relative preference of one thing over another. The fact that Jesus intended that relative meaning is supported by the way this teaching is phrased in Matthew: “[a]nyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” 

So, what does this verse teach? 

Context gives us two strong clues. Scripturally, Luke’s gospel places this teaching immediately after a parable stressing the need to prioritize God over of other things, even otherwise legitimate things. Luke 14:15-24. Historically, the people Jesus was addressing placed very great emphasis on family.  Those contexts indicate that Jesus is telling us to put Him above all other things—even things at the core of our lives.  

So what in your life is competing with Jesus? Is it your politics, media consumption, or “tribe”?   Is it your job, career, or finances? Is it an addiction?  Is it something else? Ask Jesus to show you and to show you how to put Him ahead of it. Scripture tells us that He will show you and help you put things right if you bring the matter to Him. Luke 11:9-13, Romans 8:26-27,  Philippians 4:6-7,  Hebrews 4:15-16,  James 1:5, 1 John 1:9.  

Will that be easy? Probably not. I’m struggling with something like that now and I can tell you it’s hard. Will it take time? It probably will; it has for me. Will God help you along the way? Definitely.  So seek His help for you and all others who are struggling with this.  And if you could, please include me in those prayers.

 

Prayer:

Loving God, help each of us to see where we have let other things take priority over you. Help us to put you first, no matter how hard that is. Help all others who are struggling with this. We say this in Jesus’ loving, healing, name.

What Mark 4:35-41 tells us about fear and how to respond to it

This week’s readings have discussed the overriding importance of staying close to God. We’ve seen how vital it is to not let fear, preoccupation with worldly things, and even otherwise legitimate things get between us and what God desires of us. Today’s reading, Mark 4:35-41, gives additional insights into one of those potentially distracting things—fear—and illustrates several encouraging things about it.

One is that even godly, faithful, folks experience fear and that it does not disqualify them from relationship with God. Here we see that the disciples—people who literally dedicated their lives to following Jesus—experienced great fear. We see that elsewhere in the gospels, during other storms and in connection with Jesus' passion.  But Jesus did not give up on them; He still loved and used them. So do not despair when you experience fear; fear does not equal failure and doubt does not equal disqualification.  

Another thing this reading shows us is to bring our fears to God; prayer is a powerful response to fear. Here, the disciples brought their fears to Jesus, prayer in its most direct form, and received peace. That is consistent with what we see in Philippians 4:6-7  and  1 Peter 5:7; those verses tell us that we receive peace when we bring our fears to God. So go to God when you are scared, you will experience peace from the very process of sharing your fear with Him. The fear causing circumstances may not be immediately changed, but your ability to deal with them will be. 

 Finally, this reading shows that we do not have to be shy about bringing our fears to God; we can express our fear without inhibition.  The Greek word translated in a very understated way as “said” in verse 38 actually connotes a much stronger communication. It describes commanding, exhorting, speaking emphatically. Jesus didn’t reject the disciples or their plea because of that. In fact, he later instructed them to be bold in presenting their concerns to God. Luke 11:5-8, Luke 18:1-8. We see that elsewhere in scripture, God’s faithful servants presented raw emotion to Him and did so with great intensity, but God was not offended. 1 Samuel 1:4-28, Psalm 55:1-8, Psalm 42:2-4.   Relatedly, Romans 8:26-27 assures us that we can bring our raw emotions to God even if we are so upset that we cannot clearly articulate them. So do not pull your punches with God, pour your heart out to Him.

 

Prayer:

Lord, draw us to you when we are afraid. Do not let our fear separate us from you, but help us boldly cast our cares on you. 

 

The Extraordinary Through The Ordinary: Luke 2:22-40

This week’s readings have described the extraordinary ways God moved to deliver redemption to the world. He enabled an elderly couple to conceive and raise John the Baptist. He caused the very young, unwed, Virgin Mary to conceive our savior. He provided powerful ratification to her through a host of angels and the shepherds they sent to her. Those were truly extraordinary events.

 

Today’s reading,Luke 2:22-40, shows that God also moves through the ordinary. He provided Mary and Joseph much needed ratification in challenging times through their following an ordinary spiritual discipline. He did that through two other folks (Simeon and Anna) who were in position to deliv er that ratification because they were faithful in their ordinary spiritual disciplines.  

 

What can we learn from that?  At least two things come to mind.

 

One is the importance of adhering to spiritual disciplines despite upheaval in our lives. Think about Mary and Joseph’s situation. They were effectively homeless, with a newborn, in a strange city, separated from their families, and they had been in that situation for about 40 days. That must have been very hard.  See What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Nativity: Mary and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem and Jesus’ Birth There (Luke 2:1-7)  and  What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Nativity: Jesus’ Circumcision and Presentation; Mary’s Purification (Luke 2:21-24)  Yet they still made it to the temple, where they received great ratification. Their perseverance in an ordinary discipline was key to their receiving it. Your situation is probably not as extreme as theirs, and God’s response will likely not be as extraordinary as that described in today’s reading, but it is likely that God will provide some comfort in your chaos if you keep seeking Him in the ordinary.

 

The other is to obey God’s prompts. I doubt Simeon expected the events that happened that day, but they happened because he responded to God’s nudge. Simeon was able to speak what God wanted Mary and Jospeh to hear because he responded to the Holy Spirit’s particular prompts on that particular day.  He, Mary, Joseph, and billions of other folks since then have been blessed in ways Simeon could not possibly have anticipated—because he followed the Spirit’s lead.  Who knows what blessings will be set in motion by your following the Spirit’s lead.

 

There is much more that we can learn from these events than space permits exploring here. Some of them are discussed at What We Can Learn From Jesus’ Nativity: Simeon Blesses Mary (Luke 2:25-35)  and What We Can Learn From Jesus' Nativity: Anna Ratifies Jesus (Luke 2:36-38).    Maybe they will provide one of the prompts I was just talking about.

 

God bless you, and others through you.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, thank you for reaching out to is in so many ways. Help us to reach out to you through the ordinary disciplines you provide us and to respond when you prompt us to action. We pray that in Jesus’ name.

What we can learns about service from Matthew 23:1-12

This week’s readings have shown us a lot about service. Romans 12:4-8  told us the God gifts each of us with specific abilities/inclinations to use to help others, and that we should be all in in using them for that purpose.  Ephesians 4:12-24  explained that we can’t let social standards distort how we serve. 1 Corinthians 10:27-37  showed us that we must subordinate our desires to the interests of those we serve.  Romans 12:1-10  explained that sacrificial service is a form of worship, reiterated that it should not be confined by social standards, and it should be done humbly.

 

             So what does Matthew 23:1-12  add?  At least three things.

            First, it illustrates what service should not be: polluted by concern about what others will think. Using the religious leaders of the time as negative examples, Jesus powerfully states the principle that such concerns inevitably cheapen our service. This was not a context specific lesson—Jesus reiterated this principle in multiple ways.

        Second, and relatedly, we do the most good when we so lose ourselves in service that we cease to care about own status or desires. Jesus called—and still calls—his disciples to be “servants.”  The Greek word used to capture Jesus’ teaching  here refers to advancing others’ interests even at the expense of our own, something similar to what we saw in 1 Corinthians 10:27-37  and see elsewhere in scripture. The point is to focus on the person(s) served, not the server.

            Third, God helps us when we humbly strive to serve the way Jesus describes; He tells us that we will be "exalted" when we do so. One of the things that word means is to be increased in happiness. Those who humbly pour themselves into using the gifts God gives for His purposes experience a joy that propels them in their service. 

God works powerfully through seemingly weak, seemingly insignificant, people to address seemingly insurmountable dysfunction—Judges 5:24-27

             This week’s readings show multiple examples of an undeniable truth: God works powerfully through seemingly weak, seemingly insignificant, people to address seemingly insurmountable dysfunction.  We see that again today in Judges 5:24-27. Although not immediately obvious from the text of today’s reading, the reading’s backstory provides another example of that dynamic.

 That backstory is found in Judges 4. Isreal had been oppressed by a pagan king through Sisrea, the commander of the king’s powerful army.  Isreal “cried to the Lord for help.” Judges 4.3. God raised up a female judge deal with that king, the king’s seemingly invincible army was destroyed, and Sisera fled the battlefield. He took refuge in the tent of Jael, a non-Israelite woman, who dispatched him by luring him into a false sense of security and killing him. That effectively ended the king’s power and Isreal “had peace for forty years.” Judges 5:31. In sum, God used two very unlikely people—women in a male dominated culture, one of whom was not even an Israelite—to answer His people’s prayers and deliver them from oppression. 

So what does that mean for us, thousands of years later? Several things come to mind.

One is to remember that nothing is impossible for God. Luke 1:37. We should not despair even though the dysfunction in our world, and maybe in our personal lives, seems overwhelming.  God can and will overcome it all. Psalm 37, John 16:33, and this powerfully uplifting song  affirm that reality. That may not happen in the way we expect or on the schedule we desire, but it will happen.

Another is that we too should “cry to the Lord for help.”  God responds to our heartfelt prayers. Sometimes He changes our circumstances, sometimes He changes the way we approach those circumstances, but He always gives us peace in one form or another when we bring our problems to Him.  As Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 tell us, we should bring all our anxieties to him. See also Philippians 4:4-7.  And don’t worry if you can’t fully articulate your concerns, Romans 8:26-27 assures us that He’ll get them. Just go to Him.

Finally, open yourself to the possibility that you will be a person God uses to deal with some of the dysfunction around us. As this week’s readings show us, God works through all kinds of folks, and you are likely one of them. So follow Psalm 37:3's direction to “trust in the Lord and do good.” (Emphasis added).  That will position you to be one of the instruments God uses to deliver His healing, as unlikely as that may seem. This link  will connect you with some great ways to start doing that. 

God’s peace to—and through—you. 

 

Prayer:

          Lord, draw us to you, especially when things seem bleak. Help us to remember your perfect love, your perfect wisdom, and your ultimate power. Help us to bring our problems to you.  Open, position, align us with you so that we can be instruments of your healing. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

 

 

 

Psalm 27:1,2,3,13-14 annotated

This translation is from the New American Bible. Other translations are available here.  Information about the original Hebrew of what seem to be the key words is provided in blue immediately below the scriptural text.  Additional resources related to this scripture and the principles it sets out are hyperlinked after that. 

 

R.  (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies themselves stumble and fall.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

fear = יָרֵא = yārē'  Blue Letter Bible  to fear, revere, be afraid; stand in awe of, be awed; reverence, honour, respect; tremble for joy.  

 

afraid = פָּחַד = pāḥaḏ  Blue Letter Bible  fear, tremble, revere, dread, be in awe or dread; to be startled (by a sudden alarm); fear in general; be in trepidation, be timid; fear continually 

 

trusts = בָּטַח = bāṭaḥ  Blue Letter Bible   have confidence, be confident; be bold; be secure; feel safe, be careless; to trust, be confident or sure:—be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust; confide in, place one’s confidence in; be secure, fear nothing for one’s self; persuade to trust

 

wait = קָוָה = qāvâ   Blue Letter Bible   wait, look for, hope, expect; wait or look eagerly for; linger for to bind together (perhaps by twisting); look, patiently, tarry; be strong, robust (x 2)

 

courage = אָמֵץ = 'āmēṣ  Blue Letter Bible  be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard; to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure; to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to; to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong; fortify, harden, increase; strong in the feet, swift footed; restore 

 

 

stouthearted = חָזַק = ḥāzaq   Blue Letter Bible  strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore; to make strong; to strengthen; to strengthen oneself; obstinate; grow stout, rigid, hard, with idea of perversity; confirm; adhere to, hold fast

 

 

Wisdom Principles--Fortitude  

 

God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him

Readings for Sunday, January 1, 2023, annotated; Lectionary 18, The Octave Day of Christmas/Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

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   

 

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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