A Prayer for the President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority

O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth;

Most hearily we beseech thee, with thy favour to behold and bless THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

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From The Book of Common Prayer - The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Now This is "Political Rhetoric" That I Like

If you are like me , and you ARE (at least, in some ways), you are probably fed up with what you are hearing these days from politicians hoping to garner your votes.  It seems to me that most, if not all, of the rhetoric, in their commercials or debates, consists of words and phrases that are carefully crafted with the designed intent of psychologically and emotionally manipulating us into casting our vote for them or their pet programs.  Equally disgusting is the way those who are running for office, or promoting a new government regulation, unabashedly slander others, whose opinions on public policy differ from their own.

Assaulted on a daily basis by all of the election year rhetoric, it does my heart good to read this selection from an official document written during the formative years of our nation. No it isn't from a government document. It is a prayer for our elected representatives in congress, as they are in session to deliberate and make important decisions regarding the laws that will affect the lives of the people.

In 1789, the Convention of the newly formed (and Reformed) Protestant Episcopal Church In The United States of America, adopted a Book of Common Prayer that includes this:

A Prayer for Congress.

To be used during their Session.

MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people;  that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations.  These and all other nesessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.   Amen.

"The Bible is Full of Lies and Contradictions." __(An atheist's observation)

An atheist (Blogger name: Caveman 73) commenting on Ray Comfort's blog, said:

"[T]he bible ... is a very tough read... So many contradictions and lies. "

My response:

Yep. Starts right about here:

"And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die':" [1]

...is expanded upon right about here:

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not." [2]

...and ends right about here:

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." [3]

After that, a new era begins:

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." [4]

[1] Gen. 3:4; [2] John 8:44-45; [3] Rev. 21:8; [4] Rev. 21:27

The Believer's High Esteem of Jesus Christ

"Christ is never rightly conceived of, nor commended, but where other things come down, vanish and disappear, when compared with him; 'Whom have I in heaven but thee? and I desire none on earth beside thee,' saith the Psalmist, Psalm 70:25, as having full satisfaction, and all that can be wished for in Him."

___James Durham

The Epiphany, or The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

_________________________

"We have seen his star in the east,
and have come to worship him."

The Collect

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious God-head; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Epistle

Ephesians iii. 1.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
   ²If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
   ³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
   ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
   ⁵Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
   ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
   ⁷Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
   ⁸Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
   ⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
   ¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
   ¹¹According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
   ¹²In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

---

The Gospel

St. Matthew ii. 1.   ¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
   ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
   ³When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
   ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
   ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
   ⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
   ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
   ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
   ⁹When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
   ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
   ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
   ¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

The Circumcision of Christ

The Collect

ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle

Rom iv. 8.
   Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
   ⁹Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
   ¹⁰How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
   ¹¹And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
   ¹²And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
   ¹³For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
   ¹⁴For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

---

The Gospel

St. Luke ii. 15
   And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
   ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
   ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
   ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
   ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
   ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
   ²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The Sunday after Christmas-day

_________

The Collect

ALMIGHTY God,who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.



The Epistle

Gal. iv. 1.
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
   ²But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
   ³Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
   ⁴But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
   ⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
   ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
   ⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Gospel

St. Matt. i. 18.
NOW the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
   ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
   ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
   ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
   ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
   ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
   ²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
   ²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (2)

The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas-day.

The Collect

ALMIGHTY  God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle   Hebrews i. 1.

GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
   ²Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
   ³Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
   ⁴Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
   ⁵For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
   ⁶And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
   ⁷And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
   ⁸But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
   ⁹Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
   ¹⁰And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
   ¹¹They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
   ¹²And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
The Gospel         St. John i. 1.

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   ²The same was in the beginning with God.
   ³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   ⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
   ⁵And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   ⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
   ⁷The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
   ⁸He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
   ⁹That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
   ¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
   ¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   ¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
   ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
   ¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (1)

O GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly rememberance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen (The Collect for Christmas Day)


The Epistle
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.


The Gospel

Luke 2:1-14

Shepherds in the Bethlehem Fields

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!"

Reformed Anglicanism: Saturday after the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Christ...

Reformed Anglicanism: Saturday after the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Christ...: http://lifeinthescriptures.blogspot.com/2011/12/saturday-after-fourth-sunday-in-advent.html Lectionary Morning - Ps. 50, Lk. 1:67-80 Eve...

OLD CHRISTMAS

~                                                                     ~                                                                ~
An English Christmas as Observed by Washington Irving

Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the spirit to a state of hallowed and elevated enjoyment. The services of the church about this season are extremely tender and inspiring. They dwell on the beautiful story of the origin of our faith, and the pastoral scenes that accompany its announcement. they gradually increase in fervor and pathos during the season of Advent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning that brought peace and good-will to men. I do not know a grander effect of music on the moral feelings than to hear the full choir and the pealing organ performing a Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filling every part of the vast pile with triumphant harmony.

Quoted from the book, Old Christmas, by Washington Irving

Christmas as Confessed in the Three Forms of Unity:

Compiled using the words of the Canons of Dort, Belgic Confession, and Heidelberg Catechism, with the Scripture texts referenced in these documents.


As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
   Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
   For the wages of sin is death;....(Rom. 3:10, 19-20, 23, 6:23)

But in this the love of God was manifested, that He "sent His only begotten Son into the world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (1 Jn 4:9; Jn 3:16). _(Canons - Art. 1&2)

We confess ... that God has fulfilled the promise that He made to the fathers by the mouth of His holy prophets, when He sent into the world, at the time appointed by Him, His only-begotten and eternal Son, who took upon Him the form of a servant and became like unto man, really assuming the true human nature with all its infirmities, sin excepted; being conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit without the means of a man ...
[W]e confess ... that Christ partook of the flesh and blood of the children; that He is a fruit of the loins of David after the flesh; a fruit of the womb of Mary; born of a woman; a branch of David; a shoot of the root of Jesse; sprung from the tribe of Judah;  descended from the Jews according to the flesh; of the seed of Abraham, since he took on him the seed of Abraham and was made like unto his brethren in all things, sin excepted; so that in truth He is our IMMANUEL, that is to say, God with us. _(Belgic, Art. 18)

 Why is the Son of God called "Jesus," that is, Savior?
Because He saves us from all our sins, and because salvation is not to be sought or found in any other.

 What is the meaning of  "conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary?" 
That the eternal Son of God, who is and continues true and eternal God, took upon Himself the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,  by the operation of the Holy Spirit; so that He might also be the true seed of David, like unto His brethren in all things, except for sin.

 What benefit do you receive from the holy conception and birth of Christ?
That He is our Mediator, and with His innocence and perfect holiness covers, in the sight of God, my sin, wherein I was conceived.
(Heidelberg, Q. 29,35, 36)

________________________________

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

(Refrain)

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace The, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

(Refrain)

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

(Refrain)

WORTHY IS THE LAMB

Scripture Reading for Friday of the Fourth Week in Advent

Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV)

¹And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
   ²And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
   ³And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
   ⁴And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
   ⁵And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
   ⁶And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
   ⁷And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
   ⁸And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
   ⁹And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
   ¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
   ¹¹And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
   ¹²Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
   ¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
   ¹⁴And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.