Menlo Castle, River Corrib, Galway – seemingly on a frosty but beautiful day. ‘Twill do fine in place of an image of the Kingdom of Heaven, which I cannot find anyway!
Nathan prophesies that God will single out the Dynasty of David – a promise fulfilled in Jesus.
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever”
Brightest of star in the darkest of night
The Spirit of God revealing His light
Innocence lay on bed of hay
Is this what his gentle eyes do say?
All wise men play their part,
When searching for His light within the dark
Gold frankincense and myrrh
Within the righteous heart do stir
Truth is love this must be understood
No manmade decree
It is the action of Truth that sets mankind free
Deception and deceit are trod upon
By His holy feet
Humble of heart, placid moon, twinkling star
All mankind shall know who you are
**Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done*
May the light of the new-born Jesus
Dwell in our hearts
May its radiance embellish its self within us
And the gift of His joy (Holy Spirit) be ours
This Christmas time and always.
*Refrain from the Hymn. To God be the glory (Fanny Crosby)
kevin your brother
In Christ