Psalm Reading

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Ps. 80:1-7

Gospel Reading

Mary Visits Elizabeth
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 3:39-55

Devotional Prompts

• Set your heart before the Lord and ask Him to come and restore any place that may be weary, hurt, or hard. Take comfort in knowing that He is Emmanuel – God with us.
• Recall the promises that the Lord has given to you. Ask him to strengthen your belief that you may be all the more confident in His faithfulness.
• Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord for his goodness, power, mercy, grace, and strength. Rejoice in Him for all that this past year has been and for all that this next year will be.

Closing Prayer

Lord, of love and mercy,

Thank you for the way that you work restoration in every area of our lives. Your goodness is everlasting; your love is unending.

Help us to follow the example of Mary, always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel she welcomed your eternal Son and poured forth her heart in extravagant worship. May we be full of belief and hope in the same way.

Amen.