Thursday, January 2, 2014

"He was called Jesus" & The Three Queens who came late!

 Jesus Oh what a wonderful child!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhI2kclu93E

The Queens Came Late

But The Queens Were There

 

The Queens came late, but the Queens were there 

with gifts in their hands and crowns on their hair. 

They’d come, these three, like the Kings, from far, 

following, yes, that guiding star. 

They’d left their ladles, linens, looms, 

their children playing in nursery rooms, 

and told their sitters: “Take charge! 

For this is a marvelous sight we must not miss!”

 

The Queens came late, but not too late

to see the animals, small and great,

feathered and furred, domestic and wild,

gathered to gaze at a mother and child.

 

And rather than frankincense and myrrh

and gold for the babe, they brought her

who held him, a homespun gown of blue,

and chicken soup - with noodles, too -

and a lingering, lasting cradle song.

 

The Queens came late and stayed not long, 

for their thoughts already were straining far - 

past manger and mother and guiding star 

and child a-glow as a morning sun - 

toward home and children and chores undone...

By Norma Farber

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Sunday, January 5, 2014 Epiphany - Billy's house, 4:00 P.M.

So far this is what  and who we have:
Billy warm or cold ham, beef, turkey and cheese sandwiches, cold vegetable salad
Pat Ambrosa & Wine
Henri not sure
Julie not sure
Amy Green Salad
Joe Devilish Eggs
 
Unable to Attend: CJ, Pat and Mona, Sr. Margaret, Bruce

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Friday reading, January 2, 2014 

Scripture: Luke 2:16-21: And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe (and the puppy) lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the

shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
  

Meditation: What's the significance of a name? For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not acknowledge someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish child was named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people. It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his posterity.

In fulfillment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb. This name signifies Jesus' identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring us grace, mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11). The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on the lips, the name of Jesus.

Refection question: Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his name?


Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name. For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross. Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your greater glory." Amen.

Peace and all good,

Brother Ed, OFM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx8wANZ6yiY Jesus Oh what a wonderful child!!