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Stations of The Incarnation
Meditations and Paintings for Advent Iain McKillop |
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The full text of the prayers and meditations to
accompany each picture
can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking
here |
Introductory Prayer
Lord, we trace the story once again of your Nativity;
of God, coming to live among us, one of us.
We recall so many childhood pictures, carols, cards,
familiar ancient readings and sung words.
But help us see and feel beyond the Christmas commonplace,
new mystery and wonder, and the overwhelming grace
you lavished on us, living, dying as a Man.
Your life’s example showed
how human nature could be lived for God. |
You sacrificially gave up your throne awhile,
poured out your life,
that we might not be limited by death
but share eternity with you,
who left eternity to bless your world anew.
Help us, this Advent, by your Spirit
to meditate upon the meaning of this blessing from above,
and feel afresh the light and wonder of your love.
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1 Annunciation to Mary
Make me worthy and trustworthy
to carry you before the world,
wherever and whenever
you would have me go.
Make me a messenger of your promise.
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2. VISITATION OF MARY TO ELISABETH
Lord make of us, too,
bodies, souls and minds
worthy to temple your burning, loving Spirit.
You are the ‘burning babe’
whose awful purity should burn my wicked nature up,
but your protective love
can touch, cleanse, heal that we may carry you.
Nurture our hearts, as Mary nurtured yours:
Transform and teach,
to help us give the world your transformation. |
3 ANNUNCIATION TO THE SHEPHERDS
What, like these rough folk, should
we rush out to buy,
worthy enough to charm a God?
Our resources are too meagre,
and our nature sullied.
Only their presence and their simple love
was quite enough.
And our most precious gift
is the life of truth and care, committed love
that you would have us live. |
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4 ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS
Make me a true shepherd to your world,
I bring only myself,
washed clean by you
and giving out in love.
As each encouraged each to bow
and venerate the gift they saw,
help us together share and praise the truth
of this tremendous vision of your love |
5 PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE
Lord, make us anticipators,
waiting, watching, longing to discern your time and call.
Make us your ready, active hands
to priest the world
with your own offering.
Help us to wait and act,
expectant for your coming reign.
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6 ADORATION OF THE MAGI
So stand in silence.
Weight as in your hands the magi’s
three momentous gifts,
auguring Christ’s kingship, death and prayer.
Here, feel Him as your God, King, Saviour…..
not bound within his story,….. present here!
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7 FLIGHT INTO EGYPT |
Released to freedom by this child of
God,
we wait with longing for his world
to be transformed,
till he in Glory comes again.
Help us prepare our lives to be his holy kin.
Help us to share with others
that their lives and deaths are safe with him. |
A FINAL PRAYER
Lord, as we prepare to celebrate your coming,
and your human birth so far away in history,
help us feel now how close your presence is,
and help us share the blessing
that your Christmas brought alive for us.
Give us the thirst for light
that sent the shepherds running to know more.
Help us like the magi, young and old,
to search within the story for its meaning to the world
and us, who God entrusts to pass his present on..
Help us celebrate with children’s joy
the magnitude of which the angels sang,
and take us deeper into mysteries
the past so longed to understand. |
You’ve said that you’ll return to earth
to judge and reign.
As Simeon then, we wait again;
help us prepare here for your coming glory.
What must I do
to be ready to receive you?
What must I give to others to help them prepare?
You came to share yourself with me.
And anything I share with others
I share too with you.
Make me a ready steward,
wisely passing on your love,
in eager service of this child
who came to save the earth. |
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©Iain McKillop 2001. This page is
reproduced with kind thanks to
Iain McKillop. For more info click
here
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