Mary Sullivan

Shepherds in the region, where Jesus was born.
Watched through night, until break of dawn.
Living in fields, they cared o’er their flock.
An angel appeared.  It was surely a shock.

Fear struck the shepherds.  The angel proclaimed:|
“Good news of great joy.” The angel explained
That in David’s city, Christ our Lord was born.|
At last, our Savior!  After waiting so long.

A sign to the shepherds, from this holy angel:
They would find the Babe; He would be in a manger
Around the shepherds, the Lord’s glory, was shining.
This Infant—the answer to our hearts’ restless pining.

Heavenly Hosts, a large multitude,
Praising God for this Infant, born in solitude.
Jesus, upon us, may Your favor rest.
May we praise God who is most high, for how we’ve been blessed.

May we know Who You are, and all that You teach.
May we live the truths which You lived and preached.
May all now believe, and at last come to know,
Christmas is not a fevered frenzy, or a fruitless futile show,

But love born to save us, Truth born to light the way.
May loved ones hear Your words, follow all that You say.
May all hearts, turn to You, the Christ, on Christmas day.

(Based on Luke 1:1-14)

Zechariah and Elizabeth, both righteous in God’s eyes,
Observed the commandments, were advanced in years, and wise.
Through all their days of marriage, for a child they had longed.
But Elizabeth was barren.  Not one child had she borne.

Inside the sanctuary, incense there was to burn.
Zechariah saw an angel.  Something great he was to learn.
The angel said of fear, he ought to have none.
His prayer had been heard by God.  His wife would bear a son.

His son would be great.  So said the angel’s voice.
His son was to be named John. At his birth, many would rejoice.
Because of him, many hearts, for the Lord would yearn.
Through him many souls, to the Lord would turn.
He would drink no strong drink.  Nor would he drink of wine.
All these things would be fulfilled, in their proper time.

Lord, help us honor Your commands, let us make haste to pray.
Your time may not be our time.  In Your timing we trust today.
Our loved ones belong to You.  In Your time they will flower,
Until then, we persevere.  We pray through each passing hour.

We wait, like Zechariah. Our patience is a must.
Your time is not our time, Lord.  In You, we place our trust.
Zechariah waited prayerfully for the birth of His Son.
We pray for a new birth in Christ for each of our loved ones.

Mary set out in those days,
She traveled in such haste,
Set off to greet Elizabeth
There was no time to waste.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
As Mary entered the room
The infant leaped with joy,
Within Mary’s cousin’s womb.

She cried out in a loud voice,
The scriptures do attest:
Blessed are you among women.
The fruit of your womb is blessed.

Then she asked the question,
Just how could this be,
That the mother of my Lord,
Should come unto me?

May we bring the Lord to the sick,
to those who are in need.
May Mary show us how to plant
in souls, true Christian seeds.

As Mary visited her cousin,
May Mary go to those we love,
May she bring Christ into their lives,
With grace from up above.

May loved ones sense the Lord,
Know He is truly there;
May they bow down before Him.
May they give to Him their cares.

Father up in heaven,
Loved ones’ souls, take care and tend.
Please send to all our loved ones
Good and Godly friends.

Here comes our God,
He comes with vindication,
He comes forth to save us all,
To grant us all salvation.

We will see in all His majesty,
The splendor of the Lord,
The Lord who is Almighty,
The Lord we have adored.

Parched lives will give birth to joy,
When hearts can but make room,
For our Lord to enter.
Then barren lives will bloom.

May loved ones’ lives prepare to bloom,
Bloom with many flowers.
May those we love, grow in faith.
At this decisive hour.

May feeble hands be made strong.
Firm be made the knees, now weak,
May it be Your heart, our loved ones look to,
Your will, our loved ones seek.

Eyes once blinded by grave errors,
By the dark stain of sin,
May they now see the truth,
Through truth, Your victory win.

Sin owns not the final word—
Nor is it the last story.
May wounded hearts, once slain by sin,
Be healed for Your glory.  Amen +