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Christmas Masquerade Ball {pretty, happy, funny, real}

by Filed Under: {phfr}, Christmas, Rose, Rose GFG

pretty

Elissa ready to go Christmas Ball

Rose enjoyed a blessed time with friends at a Christmas Masquerade Ball. It was a beautiful, wholesome, and blessed evening hosted by fellow parishioners. ALL FOR!

happy

Christmas Ball

funny

lissa and siblings

The girls wanted to take a picture with their sis.  Papi refused to get in on the group pic – he wanted a pic with rose, only.  Dragonfly was out cold, recuperating from his five day stay with Nana & Papa due to our recent Advent blessings.

real

dad and liss 5 days apart

Rose had a blessed date night with Dad on 12.2. Two days later (on 12.4) he had a serious accident (fall off a ladder). By His grace Dad was able to see Rose off for her Christmas Masquerade Ball (12.7).

We have much to be thankful this Advent.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Christkindl ~ Prayer & Gift Exchange for a Friend

by Filed Under: Advent, Christkindl, Christmas, RMGS 2012-13 1 Comment

“Christ- Child”

Fr. B initiated a Christkindl for Rosa Mystica Girls’ Society.  My co-Christkindl Info Handout with Prayer Chartleader and I coordinated our version of the Christkindl, using the Trapp Family model. 

Our Chirstkindl will take the form of a prayer exchange with a small gift exchange after Christ’s Birth.  You can take a look at our handout, here.  Our handout included a prayer for friends, to be used in the case that the girls needed some guidance.

The beautiful thing about this particular custom is that the relationship is a reciprocal one.

The person whose name I have drawn and who is under my care becomes for me the helpless little Christ Child in the manger; and as I am performing these many little acts of love and consideration

for someone in the family I am really doing them for the Infant of Bethlehem, according to the word, "And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me." That is why this particular person turns into "my Christkindl." At the same time I am the "Christkindl" also for the one I am caring for because I want to imitate the Holy Child and render all those little services in the same spirit as He did in that small house of Nazareth, when as a child He served His Mother and His foster father with a similar love and devotion.

~ Around the Year with the TRAPP FAMILY

~~~

Each girl was given a name of a fellow RMGS member, in secrecy.  

The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care. From this day until Christmas, one has to pray for her as often as one can. One has to provide at least one prayer every single day–without ever being found out.

Each girl will track her prayers with a Prayer Chart. image

The prayer chart can be used in the home for your own version of the Christkindl. It’s merely a tool to help us keep on track – offering a daily gift for Christ among those who are before us.

The girls will reveal their Christkindl at our next meeting, Jan. 5 – Vigil of the Epiphany. They will also present their Christkindl with a wrapped gift, not to exceed a $5 value.  The gift is meant to be something from the heart that reflects their prayers during Advent.

Start Your {Christmas} Novena

by Filed Under: 11 November, 11 November Saints, Advent, Christmas, Novena, St. Andrew 1 Comment

This is a repost from last year to serve as a reminder.
Starts on November 30 (St. Andrew’s Feast Day) ~ Ends on December 24 (Christmas Eve)
I created a printable novena card. You may print and share, freely.
An updated printable novena card can be found here.  
Christmas Novena Front and BackChristmas Novena Front and Back v2
The following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas.
~~~

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)
Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897
~~~
May this meditative prayer help us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.
***UPDATE***

Christmas Novena Chaplet

The Psalms–Day 2

by Filed Under: Bible, Christmas, Psalms, Scripture

Day 2 Psalms 13 — 27 

My Bible Reading Timeline for Christmastide is listed here.

 

Psalms 13

1 How long, O LORD? Wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him"; lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. ————————————————————————

Father, may I trust You enough not to ask certain questions.

Psalms 14

To the choirmaster. Of David.

1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the LORD? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad. ————————————————————————

Father, thank You for loving us so much as to send Your Son to save us.

Psalms 15

A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in thy tent? Who shall dwell on thy holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. ————————————————————————

Jesus, by faith in You may I live the life that will lead to heaven.

Psalms 16

A Miktam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." 3 As for the saints in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. 4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their libations of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. 5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure. 10 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit. 11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. ————————————————————————

"You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right hand forever." Ps 16:11

Psalms 17

A Prayer of David.

1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! 2 From thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right! 3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. 4 With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to thy paths, my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to me, hear my words. 7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings, 9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. 13 Arise, O LORD! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword, 14 from men by thy hand, O LORD, from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their babes. 15 As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form. ————————————————————————

Jesus, thank You for forgiving our sins. May I frequent the sacrament of Confession.

Psalms 18

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 7 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. 8 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. 9 He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. 10 He rode on a cherub, and flew; he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. 12 Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. 14 And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them. 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare, at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He reached from on high, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. 18 They came upon me in the day of my calamity; but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his ordinances were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. 24 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25 With the loyal thou dost show thyself loyal; with the blameless man thou dost show thyself blameless; 26 with the pure thou dost show thyself pure; and with the crooked thou dost show thyself perverse. 27 For thou dost deliver a humble people; but the haughty eyes thou dost bring down. 28 Yea, thou dost light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 29 Yea, by thee I can crush a troop; and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 This God — his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? — 32 the God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe. 33 He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand supported me, and thy help made me great. 36 Thou didst give a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; and did not turn back till they were consumed. 38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. 39 For thou didst gird me with strength for the battle; thou didst make my assailants sink under me. 40 Thou didst make my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. 41 They cried for help, but there was none to save, they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets. 43 Thou didst deliver me from strife with the peoples; thou didst make me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. 44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. 45 Foreigners lost heart, and came trembling out of their fastnesses. 46 The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation, 47 the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me; 48 who delivered me from my enemies; yea, thou didst exalt me above my adversaries; thou didst deliver me from men of violence. 49 For this I will extol thee, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to thy name. 50 Great triumphs he gives to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants for ever. ————————————————————————

"I love You, O Lord, my Strength, O Lord, my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer" Ps18:2-3.

Psalms 19

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. ————————————————————————

Cleanse me from my unknown faults!

Psalms 20

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! [Selah] 4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfil all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfil all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. 7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the LORD our God. 8 They will collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright. 9 Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call. ————————————————————————

Father, send the Spirit to assure me that my prayer is answered even months and years before the results of my prayer are manifest.

Psalms 21

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 In thy strength the king rejoices, O LORD; and in thy help how greatly he exults! 2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. [Selah] 3 For thou dost meet him with goodly blessings; thou dost set a crown of fine gold upon his head. 4 He asked life of thee; thou gavest it to him, length of days for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great through thy help; splendor and majesty thou dost bestow upon him. 6 Yea, thou dost make him most blessed for ever; thou dost make him glad with the joy of thy presence. 7 For the king trusts in the LORD; and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved. 8 Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. 9 You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath; and fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their children from among the sons of men. 11 If they plan evil against you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. 13 Be exalted, O LORD, in thy strength! We will sing and praise thy power. ————————————————————————

Father, thank You for letting me know about life after death and giving me the opportunity to choose eternal life.

Psalms 22

To the choirmaster: according to The Hind of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but thou dost not answer; and by night, but find no rest. 3 Yet thou art holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In thee our fathers trusted; they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 To thee they cried, and were saved; in thee they trusted, and were not disappointed. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; scorned by men, and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock at me, they make mouths at me, they wag their heads; 8 "He committed his cause to the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" 9 Yet thou art he who took me from the womb; thou didst keep me safe upon my mother’s breasts. 10 Upon thee was I cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me thou hast been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help.12 Many bulls encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; thou dost lay me in the dust of death. 16 Yea, dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet — 17 I can count all my bones — they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots. 19 But thou, O LORD, be not far off! O thou my help, hasten to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion, my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen! 22 I will tell of thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee: 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! all you sons of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you sons of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 25 From thee comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live for ever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. 29 Yea, to him shall all the proud of the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and he who cannot keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him; men shall tell of the Lord to the coming generation, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, that he has wrought it. ————————————————————————

Jesus, thank You for suffering Your passion and death out of love for me.

Psalms 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. ————————————————————————

Father, may my celebration of the Eucharist lead me into an ever deeper relationship with You.

Psalms 24

A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; 2 for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah] 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! [Selah] ————————————————————————

Father, may I follow Jesus in entering heaven’s gates.

Psalms 25

A Psalm of David.

1 To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD! 8
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13 He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. 14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20 Oh guard my life, and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in thee. 21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. ————————————————————————

Father, give me a special grace to remember the Bible and, more importantly, to live it.

Psalms 26

A Psalm of David.

1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee. 4 I do not sit with false men, nor do I consort with dissemblers; 5 I hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go about thy altar, O LORD, 7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all thy wondrous deeds. 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy glory dwells. 9 Sweep me not away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 men in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the LORD. ————————————————————————

"Search me, O Lord, and try me; test my soul and my heart" Ps 26:2.

Psalms 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8 Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, LORD, do I seek." 9 Hide not thy face from me. Turn not thy servant away in anger, thou who hast been my help. Cast me not off, forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD! ————————————————————————

"Show me, O Lord, Your way, and lead me on a level path"  Ps 27:11.

The Psalms–Day 1

by Filed Under: Christmas, Meditation, Psalms, Scripture

My gift to Jesus, this Christmas, was to return to His word.  It is a gift that I pray to continue throughout the New Year. 

Currently, I’m immersing myself in the Psalms.  Below is the outline that I’m following for Christmastide.

~~~

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. ————————————————————————

Father, may the psalms be my daily prayer and invariably make me happy.

Psalms 2

1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?  2  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and his anointed, saying, 3 "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel." 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling 12 kiss his feet, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. ————————————————————————

Psalms 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of me, there is no help for him in God. [Selah] 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill. [Selah] 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.   6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.  7  Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! For thou dost smite all my enemies on the cheek, thou dost break the teeth of the wicked.  8 Deliverance belongs to the LORD; thy blessing be upon thy people! [Selah] ————————————————————————

Father, I accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Psalms 4

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Thou hast given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. 2 O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? [Selah] 3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. 4 Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. [Selah] 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. 6 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O LORD!" 7 Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makest me dwell in safety. ————————————————————————

Father, may my Saturday nights prepare me to celebrate Your Son’s resurrection on Sunday morning.

Psalms 5

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; give heed to my groaning.  2 Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to thee do I pray. 3 O LORD, in the morning thou dost hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee, and watch.  4 For thou art not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not sojourn with thee. 5 The boastful may not stand before thy eyes; thou hatest all evildoers. 6 Thou destroyest those who speak lies; the LORD abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men. 7 But I through the abundance of thy steadfast love will enter thy house, I will worship toward thy holy temple in the fear of thee. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of my enemies; make thy way straight before me. 9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is destruction, their throat is an open sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against thee. 11 But let all who take refuge in thee rejoice, let them ever sing for joy; and do thou defend them, that those who love thy name may exult in thee. 12 For thou dost bless the righteous, O LORD; thou dost cover him with favor as with a shield. ————————————————————————

Jesus, may I get up early to pray every morning, as You did (Mk 1:35).

Psalms 6

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy anger, nor chasten me in thy wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is sorely troubled. But thou, O LORD — how long? 4 Turn, O LORD, save my life; deliver me for the sake of thy steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in Sheol who can give thee praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows weak because of all my foes. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil; for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled; they shall turn back, and be put to shame in a moment. ————————————————————————

Heal me, Lord!

Psalms 7

A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush a Benjaminite.

1 O LORD my God, in thee do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me, 2 lest like a lion they rend me, dragging me away, with none to rescue. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, 4 if I have requited my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, 5 let the enemy pursue me and overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground, and lay my soul in the dust. [Selah] 6 Arise, O LORD, in thy anger, lift thyself up against the fury of my enemies; awake, O my God; thou hast appointed a judgment. 7 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about thee; and over it take thy seat on high. 8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. 9 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous, thou who triest the minds and hearts, thou righteous God. 10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. 12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and strung his bow; 13 he has prepared his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. 14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil, and is pregnant with mischief, and brings forth lies. 15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole which he has made. 16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own pate his violence descends. 17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. ————————————————————————

Father, thank You for Your Son’s death. May we accept the salvation and mercy He has made possible.

Psalms 8

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted 2 by the mouth of babes and infants, thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast established; 4 what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him? 5 Yet thou hast made him little less than God, and dost crown him with glory and honor. 6 Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the sea. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! ————————————————————————

Father, You gave me the freedom to reject You so I would also have the freedom to love You. I love You with all my heart and all my life.

Psalms 9

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before thee. 4 For thou hast maintained my just cause; thou hast sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. 5 Thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked; thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. 6 The enemy have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities thou hast rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. 7 But the LORD sits enthroned for ever, he has established his throne for judgment; 8 and he judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity. 9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! 12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! Behold what I suffer from those who hate me, O thou who liftest me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all thy praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in thy deliverance. 15 The nations have sunk in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid has their own foot been caught. 16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. [Higgaion. Selah] 17 The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever. 19 Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before thee! 20 Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! [Selah] ————————————————————————

Risen Jesus, Conqueror of death, I praise You for Your ultimate and final victory.

Psalms 10

1 Why dost thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why dost thou hide thyself in times of trouble? 2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes which they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. 4 In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." 5 His ways prosper at all times; thy judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 6 He thinks in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity." 7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 8 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the hapless, 9 he lurks in secret like a lion in his covert; he lurks that he may seize the poor, he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 10 The hapless is crushed, sinks down, and falls by his might. 11 He thinks in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it." 12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thy hand; forget not the afflicted. 13 Why does the wicked renounce God, and say in his heart, "Thou wilt not call to account"? 14 Thou dost see; yea, thou dost note trouble and vexation, that thou mayest take it into thy hands; the hapless commits himself to thee; thou hast been the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and evildoer; seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 16 The LORD is king for ever and ever; the nations shall perish from his land. 17 O LORD, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek; thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt incline thy ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. —–

Father, may I trust You always.

Psalms 11

To the choirmaster. Of David.

1 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains; 2 for lo, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do"? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men. 5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence. 6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and brimstone; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. ————————————————————————

Father, give me confidence. May I walk by faith and not by sight.

Psalms 12

1 Help, LORD; for there is no longer any that is godly; for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men. 2 Every one utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is our master?" 5 "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." 6 The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7 Do thou, O LORD, protect us, guard us ever from this generation. 8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men. ————————————————————————

Father, only in You is my soul at rest.

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