GOSPEL - Matthew 1:18-24
How Jesus Christ came to be born
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
Notes from meeting on 13 December 2022
Picture
Picture of Our Blessed Mother with a veil over her head, she seems to be in mourning as she is weeping!
On a hill under a great light is the Nativity scene, but Blessed Mother is missing, she is further down the hill listening, suddenly footsteps of many peoples of all creeds and nations can be seen streaming to the Light of the Nativity, Our Mother leads them to her Son Jesus, Our Mother lifts her mourning veil away and starts to smile with such joy.
The people all arrive and somehow there is room for all and as they come forward to kneel before the child they all bring their offerings, one brings the tools of his trade, another brings bread that he has baked, even a little child brings his toy to the baby King of Kings. Blessed Mother is so happy that she picks up her Son and lifts Him up for everyone to see, each person is blessed by the Light from the Child, none are missed out!
"My little ones, my Son takes delight in His People, for you were once lost but now you are found.’ Peace be upon you. May the Light of the Christ Child be in your hearts and stay with you in this Holy Season.’
Mary"
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Intercessions
Come, Lord Jesus, dwell amongst us!
Lord we pray for the lost ,the fallen and the hard of heart, we pray for our families and friends, we pray for the Church and the World.
Come, Lord Jesus, dwell amongst us!
Pray for healing for Sandy, Peter, Mia, Jackie, Nathan, Jessica, Alan Guile, David, Derek and Malcolm.
Pray for all who are grieving give them strength, consolation and healing.
Pray for our Priests and for vocations to the Priesthood.
Pray for lost souls.
Pray for the conversion of the World.
Lord we continue to pray for Peace in Ukraine and throughout the World.
Lord we pray for persecuted Christians throughout the World.
Lord we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all peoples and nations.
Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory may they be granted eternal rest.
Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos, pray for us.
Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Mary, Bride of the Spirit, pray for us.
If anyone has any prophecy, prayers, readings or intercessions I encourage you to please send them to me. Let us share with one another the gifts and inspirations of the Spirit!
Resources
3. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website -
https://www.cbcew.org.uk
Events
Next meeting of Theotokos Prayer Group is on 20th December 2022.
Meet at St Mary's Presbytery, Major Street, Stockton on Tees at 7.30PM. All welcome.
This is our last meeting this year and we will meet again on Tuesday 10 January 2023
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and all good wishes for 2023.
Sent by Stephen Allison on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 12:56PM
