After the angels appear to them, the shepherds visit Jesus
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.Psalm 96:1-2
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe 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.Luke 2:15-19
Star of Bethlehem flower
Gloria in excelsis (opposite column)
Our father …
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation:Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.Amen. (BCP collect for The Holy Name, January 1)
Nativity, Giotto, 1304-6
Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Continue to next meditation THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI NOTES Bird: Owl in rafters (Mary ponders in her heart)Rafters inside inset of arch … partridges. Plant: Star of Bethlehem. Symbol:Crescent moon in sky (to evoke later - "woman clothed with sun, moon at feet"Rev. 12:1)
