2/3/1993 - Ensanche Espaillat

Twenty years ago today, I was working in Ensanche Espaillat, my fourth missionary area. I only spent a couple of months here--the shortest time I spent assigned to any area. Espaillat is a small rectangular-shaped neighborhood, about a ten minutes walk across in the narrower direction, about fifteen minutes in the longer direction. Our proselyting area extended beyond Espaillat proper (which ended at the cloverleaf) down to the river. That neighborhood was called Gualey; it was a substantially poorer neighborhood and was considered dangerous. We weren't supposed to go there by night, though there were a couple of members we visited fairly regularly there by day.

 
1. The missionaries' apartment. We shared with the companionship who worked in the area just southeast of us.

2. The street in Gualey where a couple of members and an investigator lived. I arrived just after Espaillat had been broken off from the adjacent ward to become its own branch. That decision had been made based on our having about 200 members on the records; 11 adults were active on a weekly basis. But church leadership in the DR really wanted a temple, and multiplying units was the way to get it.

3. La Escuela / Liceo Republica de Colombia. A public elementary school where my companion and I went once a week to volunteer as assistants for one of the teachers. Probably the most meaningful community service (meaningful for me, anyway) I did during my time as a missionary.

4. The meetinghouse attended by our branch, as well as by the ward from whom we had been broken off. There was conflict between the (mostly American) missionaries and the local leadership, centered in the ward but spilling over into my branch as well. It reached a heady adrenaline-laced crisis when our (American) mission president demanded that the (Dominican) stake president put a stop to certain prayer meetings being held by the priesthood leaders in our ward and branch, which our mission president (and the missionaries) regarded as apostate. I feel very differently about this incident now than I did at the time; I should blog about it, maybe next month.

5. According to the church's online meetinghouse finder, there's now a meetinghouse here, though it wasn't there when I served.

This is fun: Searching for information about Ensanche Espaillat online, I quickly discovered the blog of a neighborhood organization, Amigos y Vecinos Ensanche Espaillat. It looks like they hold block parties and do raffles; they post announcements of residents' deaths and marriages. I found one post featuring photos of the "ausentes de Espaillat"--former residents sending greetings back from New Jersey or Florida. Thumbs up for civil society!

One post provided the following government statistics about Ensanche Espaillat: There are 4,000 dwellings in the neighborhood (not counting Gualey), and nearly 16,000 people living there! That figure blows my mind, to the point where I'm dubious--but Espaillat was a densely inhabited neighborhood, even 20 years ago. Unemployment is at a relatively low 7 percent. A little under 3,400 women in the neighborhood are reported as being "amas de casa" [homemakers]; the blogger juxtaposes that statistic with the fact that there are only 96 "empleadas domesticas" [domestic employees, female] to remark that "el barrio tiene verdaderas amas de casa" [the neighborhood has true homemakers]--which I take is meant as a commendation for the women who do their own cooking, cleaning, and washing instead of hiring someone to do it. Had this census been taken 20 years ago, the missionaries' maid would presumably have been one of those 96 empleadas domesticas. She would not have qualified, apparently, as a true homemaker even though she was actually running two households--ours, plus her own.

Other posts in this series: 
9/30/1992 - La Milagrosa
8/12/1992 - A year after the call
7/1/1992 - FEDOPO
5/6/1992 - Guaricano
4/1/1992 - First day in Guaricano
2/5/1992 - The Zona Franca
12/4/1991 - La Romana
11/6/1991 - My first day in the Dominican Republic
10/9/1991 - Entered the MTC
9/4/1991 - Waiting to serve
8/1/1991 - Mission call

Spiral creche

As today is Epiphany, Christmas is liturgically over, so I'm taking down all the Christmas decorations (minus the colored lights, which I'll leave up to help make the dark winter more cheery).

Every year I try to do something different with the creche. This year, I arranged the figures in a double spiral being drawn in toward the center, which until December 24 was empty but was then occupied by the baby Jesus.

As of New Year's, I reversed all the figures so that they were moving away from the center, back out into the world.

Amahl and the Night Visitors

In observance of Christmas, I'm doing a "nostalgia post." Back in 1985 and 1986, I sang the role of Amahl and Gian Carlo Menotti's light Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, for Opera West, a shoestring opera company headquartered in the Utah County area. It's an experience I look back on each Christmas very fondly. I have especially fond memories of 1986, when we went on tour to out-of-the-way places like Arco, Idaho, and Vernal, Utah. I'm sure this will be "old hat" for people who do dramatic performance, but the bonding within the troupe as we toured was an unusual experience for me (loner by temperament), and one that I think of as having spiritual dimensions, in part because of the religious themes of the performance.

This year, I tried Googling and Facebooking the major cast members to see if I could find out what they're up to now, almost 30 years later. I found rather less information than I'd hoped for, but it seems that the young man who played Balthazar, Michael Wadsworth, went on to have a singing career with some national recognition. I really wish I could have found out something about Donna Wellman, who played my mother. I learned a little about her past--she'd been singing that role for several years--but couldn't find anything about her more recent life. I'm guessing that Gene Larsson, who ran Opera West and sang the role of Melchior in 1986, has since died. (Forgive me, Gene, if you're alive and reading this!) Director Jerry Elison is still a prominent and beloved figure in the Utah County performing arts scene.

Here's a clip of my favorite aria from Amahl. It's not my troupe's performance--I don't have a DVD rip of that, unfortunately.

New blog for CofC worship resources

About 6 months ago, I started doing weekly posts of worship resources for Community of Christ congregations. From here on out, I'll be posting those resources to a new blog:

thefarthesthills.wordpress.com 

Because of that shift, I anticipate that I'll be posting much less often to Liberal Mormon Spirituality, although I'm not retiring the blog altogether. (For instance, I want to finish up the 20th-anniversary series of reflections related to my mission in the Dominican Republic.)

Rejoice!

Some worship resources designed as options for December 23, the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. Scroll down to find:

• Focus Moment: Mosiah 1:93-97
• “Second Witness” Scripture Readings: 3 Nephi 1:12-14 or Alma 12:150-154, 169-171
• Disciples’ Generous Response: Hebrews 10:5-10

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FOCUS MOMENT

Excerpted from Mosiah 1:93-97

This passage from the Book of Mormon is thematically appropriate for the Candle of Joy.

Contemporary language:

A messenger from God said to me: “Wake up!”

I woke up and saw the messenger standing in front of me.

The messenger said:

“I have come to share with you glad tidings of great joy,

so that you may rejoice

and may share them in turn with your people,

so that they too may be filled with joy.

“These are the glad tidings:

The time is coming—it is not far off!—

when the All-powerful Ruler,

the Immortal One,*

will come down from heaven,

and will live among human beings

in a body made from the dust.”**

* Or: who always has been and always will be

** Or: in a body of clay

Traditional language (lightly updated):

An angel from God said to me: “Awake.”

I awoke, and he stood before me.

He said to me:

“I am come to declare to you glad tidings of great joy,

that you may rejoice,

and that you may declare to your people

that they may also be filled with joy.

“For the time comes, and is not far distant,

that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigns,

who was and is from all eternity to all eternity,

will come down from heaven

among the human family*

and will dwell in a tabernacle of clay.”

* Original language: among the children of men. The substituted phrase, “human family” is taken from Mormon 2:86.

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“SECOND WITNESS” SCRIPTURE READINGS

With sermon helps

Either of these passages might be read alongside the recommended preaching text from the lectionary, Luke 1:39-45, in the “second witness” style. For an example of that style, see this post.

Option A. Excerpted from 3 Nephi 1:12-14

Sermon help: In the lectionary reading from Luke, Mary and Elizabeth rejoice in knowing that the long-awaited promise of God’s salvation is being fulfilled. Likewise, in the following reading from the Book of Mormon, Nephi is encouraged to rejoice in Christ’s birth as a sign that God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Contemporary language:

Nephi heard the Lord’s voice say to him:

“Look up! Cheer up!*

The time has come—

this very night, the sign will be given.

“Tomorrow** I will come into the world

to show the world

that I will keep every promise

I have made through the prophets.

“I am coming to my people***

to carry out the plan that I have been revealing

since the beginning of the world.”

* Or: Do not hang your head! Take heart!

** Or: In the morning

*** Or: I am coming into the world I created

Traditional language (lightly updated):

The voice of the Lord came to Nephi, saying:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer,

for the time is at hand,

and on this night will the sign be given.

“On the morrow I come into the world

to show the world

that I will fulfill all that I have caused to be spoken

by the mouth of my holy prophets.

“I come to my own

to fulfill all things that I have made known

from the foundation of the world.”

Option B. Excerpted from Alma 12:150-154, 169-171

Sermon help: The online sermon help for the lectionary reading explains that “Luke provides an interesting insight into the leveling, or equalizing power of the mission of Jesus Christ by using women as prophetic witnesses.” The following story from the Book of Alma likewise places two women in a prominent role as witnesses of God’s saving work in Christ. Like Mary and Elizabeth, Abish is a person considered to be of less importance in her society—a servant, an ordinary person who nevertheless recognizes that she has a mission to fulfill for God.

Contemporary language:

One of the Lamanite women, named Abish,

had converted to the Lord many years before,

in secret.

When she saw that Lamoni’s servants,

and the queen—her mistress—

and the king, and Ammon,

had all fallen to the ground while praying, as if they had fainted,

she realized that this was God’s power at work.

So she ran from house to house,

telling the people what had happened;

and they began to gather in the king’s house.

Then Abish went and took the queen’s hand,

as if to try to lift her from the ground.

As soon as Abish touched her hand,

the queen regained consciousness and stood up.

She exclaimed:

“O blessed Jesus, who has delivered* me!

O blessed God, show your compassion to this people!”

Then she clapped her hands together for joy

and spoke many words in a language that no one could understand.

* Or: rescued

Traditional language (lightly updated):

One of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish,

[had] been converted to the Lord for many years

[but] never had made it known.

When she saw that all of Lamoni’s servants,

and also her mistress, the queen,

and the king, and Ammon,

lay prostrate on the earth,

she knew that it was the power of God.

Therefore she ran forth from house to house

making it known to the people,

and they began to assemble to the house of the king.

[Then Abish] went and took the queen by the hand,

that perhaps she might raise her from the ground;

and as soon as [Abish] touched her hand,

[the queen] arose and stood on her feet

and cried:

“O blessed Jesus, who has saved me!

O blessed God, have mercy on this people!”

When she had said this,

she clapped her hands, being filled with joy,

speaking many words which were not understood.

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DISCIPLES’ GENEROUS RESPONSE

Based on Hebrews 10:5–10

Readers 1 and 2 take up positions in front of the congregation.

Reader 1:

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Reader 2:

When Christ came into the world,

this brought to pass the scripture that says:

Reader 1:

“You do not want sacrifices of animals or offerings of grain.

Daily sacrifices and sacrifices for purification mean nothing to you.

You have given me, rather, a body with which to serve you.

Therefore I say: See, God—I have come to do your will!”     [Psalm 40:7-8]

All:  God—we have come to do your will!

Reader 2:

When the scripture says

that God does not want animal sacrifices,

or grain offerings,

or daily sacrifices,

or sacrifices for purification—

this is referring to the sacrifices

that are commanded in the Law revealed to Moses.

All: God—if you do not want these sacrifices,

        what do you want from us?

Reader 1:

The scripture then adds,

“See, God—I have come to do your will!”

These words are telling us

that Christ came to end the Law and its sacrifices

in order to do the will of God.

All: And what is your will, God?

Reader 2:   [slowly and emphatically]

The will of God is this:

that we be made holy,

once and for all,

through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s body.

Reader 1:   [after a short pause]

Here ends the reading.

Readers 1 and 2 return to their places in the congregation. There is a short pause. Then Reader 3 speaks up from within the congregation.

Reader 3:

Jesus Christ,

through the gift of your body,

you have made us a holy people—

a people consecrated* to God’s service.          * or: dedicated

Therefore, we offer you

our whole selves as a gift.

Allow a few minutes of silence for prayerful reflection. The silence is followed by the Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes.

God Is among You

A number of worship resources designed as options for December 16, the third Sunday of Advent. Scroll down to find:

• Confession – Luke 3:7-16
• Focus Moment – 3 Nephi 1:13-14 or 1 Nephi 3:46-65
• “Second Witness” Scripture Reading – D&C 108: 5g, 9d-10b
• Disciples’ Generous Response – Philippians 4:4-6
• Sending Forth – Philippians 4:4-5, 7 or D&C 161:7

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CONFESSION

Based on Luke 3:7-16

Reader 1:
Crowds came to John to be baptized by him. 
He said to them:

Reader 2 / John:

If you wish to escape the coming judgment,

bring forth the fruits of a changed life.

Even now, the ax is in place,

ready to strike at the roots of the trees.

Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit

will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

All: Lord, we hear your prophet’s words.

        What must we do?

        Tell us how to change our lives.

Reader 2 / John:

Everyone who has two coats

must give one of them to someone who has no coat.

Everyone who has food

must do the same.

                                                   

All: Lord, we hear you.

        We will share what we have with others.

Reader 1:
Some of those who came to be baptized
were tax-collectors and soldiers—

[people who worked for the imperial government].*
They asked John: “What of us? What must we do?” 
He told them:

Reader 2 / John:

Do not benefit yourself

by extracting more from people than the law requires.

Do not take advantage of your position
to mistreat anyone, or extort them,

or take anything beyond your salary.

All: Lord, we live and work in a world that is not just.

        But we will treat others as justly as we are able.

Reader 2 / John:
I immerse** you in water.

But someone else is coming—

someone more powerful than me,

someone far greater than me—

who will immerse** you in the Holy Spirit

and in fire.

All:  Lord, immerse** us in your Spirit.

        Transform us, and our world, with your fire.

Allow a few minutes for silent prayer and reflection.

* Alternatives: for the conquering powers; for the Roman occupation

** Alternative: baptize

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FOCUS MOMENT

Option A uses part of the scriptural passage proposed in the suggested outline for worship. Option B uses a different Book of Mormon selection, one that is more explicitly related to the theme of the third Advent candle: love.

Option A. 3 Nephi 1:13-14

Contemporary language:

I am coming into the world

to show the world

that I will keep every promise

I have made through the prophets.

I am coming into the world I created*

to carry out the plan

I have been revealing to the human family

since the world began.

The work I come into the world to do,

I do as both “Father” and “Son”:

as “Father,” because I am God;

as “Son,” because I am born in a mortal body.

* Or: I am coming to my people

Traditional language:

I come into the world

to show the world

that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken

by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Behold, I come to my own

to fulfill all things

which I have made known to the children of men

from the foundation of the world

and to do the will

both of the Father and of the Son—

of the Father because of me,

and of the Son because of my flesh.

Option B. Excerpted from 1 Nephi 3:46-65

Contemporary language:

I looked and saw a tree,

more beautiful than anything I could have imagined

and whiter than snow.

I said to the Spirit:

“You have shown me the tree

that is the most precious of all things.”

The Spirit said to me: “What do you want?”

I replied: “To know what the tree means.”

The Spirit said to me, “Look!”

I looked and saw the town of Nazareth,

and in the town, a young woman of marrying age.

The sky opened up,

and a messenger from heaven came down and stood in front of me.

The messenger said to me:

“The young woman you see

is the mother of the Son of God!”*

I looked again, and saw the young woman

carrying a child in her arms.

The messenger said to me:

“Do you understand now the meaning of the tree?”

I replied:

“It stands for God’s love,

which shines in people’s hearts.**

That is why the tree is the most desirable of all things.”

The messenger said:

“Yes—and the thing that brings people the greatest joy!”

* 1830 edition: is the mother of God

** Or: which radiates out into people’s hearts

Traditional language:

I looked and beheld a tree.

The beauty thereof was far beyond all beauty,

and the whiteness thereof exceeded the driven snow.

I said to the Spirit:

“Thou hast shown me the tree which is precious above all.”

He said to me: “What desirest thou?”

I said to him: “To know the interpretation thereof.”

He said to me, “Look!”

I looked and beheld the city of Nazareth,

and in the city, I beheld a virgin.

I saw the heavens open,

and an angel came down and stood before me.

He said to me:

“The virgin whom thou seest

is the mother of the Son of God.”*

I looked and beheld the virgin again,

bearing a child in her arms.

The angel said to me:

“Knowest thou the meaning of the tree?”

I answered him:

“It is the love of God,

which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men;

wherefore it is the most desirable above all things.”

He spoke to me, saying,

“And the most joyous to the soul.”

* 1830 edition: is the mother of God

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“SECOND WITNESS” SCRIPTURE READING

D&C 108: 5g, 9d-10b

This passage could be read alongside the recommended preaching text from the lectionary, Zephaniah 3:14-20, in the “second witness” style. For an example of that style, see this post. 

Contemporary language:

The Lord,* the Savior,

will stand among his people,

and his rule will extend over all who live.

He will proclaim:

“I have completed the work!

I have established justice among all people!

I alone have done it!

“This was the day my heart longed for:

the day of reckoning for those who wronged my people!

In my outrage, I have leveled them to the ground

like a worker trampling grapes in a winepress,

like a warrior victorious in battle.

“The jubilee year has arrived—

the time appointed for my people to be set free!

They will praise their Lord** for his loving-kindness,

for all that he has done for them in his goodness and love.

They will praise him forever!”

All that they suffered, he suffered with them.

He sent his most trusted angel to rescue them.

In his love and compassion, he freed them.

All through the past, he supported and carried them.

* Alternatives: the Mighty One; the Holy One

** Alternatives: their Ruler; their Defender

Traditional language:

The Lord, even the Savior,

shall stand in the midst of his people,

and shall reign over all flesh.

His voice shall be heard:

I have trodden the winepress alone,

and have brought judgment upon all people;

and none was with me.

“I have trampled them in my fury,

and I did tread upon them in mine anger;

their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments,

and stained all my rainment;

for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.

“And now the year of my redeemed is come,

and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord,

and all that he has bestowed upon them,

according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness,

forever and ever.”

In all their afflictions he was afflicted.

And the angel of his presence saved them;

and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them,

and bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

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DISCIPLES’ GENEROUS RESPONSE

Adapted from Philippians 4:4-6

Reader:  At all times, rejoice in the Lord!

               I repeat: Rejoice!

All:         Lord, this world is hard.

               Still, you have given me reasons for joy.

               Pause for prayer and silent reflection.

Reader:  Be gentle to everyone.

               The Lord is close!

All:         Lord, I want to be gentler,

               more loving,

               more generous.

               Pause for prayer and silent reflection.

Reader:  Do not be worried about anything.

               Bring all your needs and concerns to God

               through prayer,

               always giving thanks.

All:         Lord, I bring you my needs and concerns,

               my goals and hopes—

               and my gratitude.

               Pause for prayer and silent reflection.

               Mission tithes are then blessed and received.

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SENDING FORTH

Option A. Adapted from Philippians 4:4-5, 7

At all times, rejoice in the Lord!

I repeat: Rejoice!

The Lord is almost here!

Do not be worried about anything.

In Jesus Christ, you have God’s peace—

a peace beyond all understanding,

a peace that will set your hearts and minds at ease.

Option B. Adapted from D&C 161:7. Alternatively, this responsive reading might be used during the Focus Moment.

Reader: The Spirit of the One we follow

All:         is the spirit of love and peace.

Reader: That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts

All:         of those who would embrace its call and live its message.

Reader: The path will not always be easy;

All:         the choices will not always be clear.

Reader: But the cause is sure,

All:         and the Spirit will bear witness to the truth.

Reader: And those who live the truth

All:         will know the hope and the joy of discipleship in the community of Christ

First-Friday service: Christ, the son of Mary

Today I led a first-Friday service of contemplative song and prayer. In honor of Advent, the theme was "Christ, the son of Mary." The altar was adorned with images of the Madonna and Child.

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A hymn from the scriptures:
THE SONG OF MARY (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God!
My heart rejoices in you, my Savior,
because you have showered your servant with blessing!
From now to the end of time,
all generations will know the great things you have done for me,

Mighty One! Your name is holy!
In every age, your mercy flows to those who reverence you!
But with the strength of your arm,
you have blasted the presumptions of the proud.

You have deposed the mighty from their thrones,
and have raised the lowly to high places.
You have filled the hungry with good things;
the rich, you have turned away empty-handed.

You have come to the aid of Israel your servant,
in fulfillment of the promise you made to our ancestors—
when you spoke blessing to Sarah and Hagar
and all their descendents, to the utmost generation!

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A reading from the apostles:
GALATIANS 4:3-7

In former times,
we were slaves to the powers of this world.

But when the time had waxed full,
God sent the Begotten One,
born of a human mother—
born, like us, a slave to the law,
yet with power to set us free.

Through him, we have been emancipated!
We have been adopted into God’s family!
God has sent into our hearts the Spirit of the Begotten One,
so that we, like him, may call God, “Abba! Father!”

Once you were slaves;
now you have become God’s children.
And because you are God’s children,
you are also God’s heirs.

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A reading from the Gospels:
LUKE 1:26-45

God sent a messenger named Gabriel
to a Galilean village called Nazareth,
to a young woman named Mary,
who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendent of David.

The messenger came to Mary and said,
“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!”
Mary was perplexed and troubled by this greeting.

The messenger said, “Do not be afraid, Mary.
God’s blessing is upon you!
You will conceive and give birth to a son.
You will name him Jesus—‘God liberates.’
He is destined for greatness!
He will be called the Son of God.
God will set him in the judgment seat
promised to David’s line,
to govern the people of the covenant forever.
His reign will never end!”

Mary said, “How can this be? I am a virgin.”

The messenger said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will rest upon you;
the power of God will overshadow you.
For this reason, your child will be holy
and will be called the Son of God.

“Does it seem hard to believe?
Listen: your kinswoman Elizabeth
has conceived a son in her old age.
She who was called barren is now six months pregnant!
You see—with God, nothing is impossible!”

Mary said, “I am God’s servant.
I accept what you have said—may it be.”
Then the messenger left her.

As soon as she could,
Mary traveled to the house of Elizabeth
in the hill country of Judea.
As she arrived, Mary called out to greet Elizabeth,
and Elizabeth felt the fetus kick inside her.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She exclaimed to Mary,
“Blessed are you among women!
Blessed is the child you will bear!
And what have I done to deserve to be blessed
by a visit from the mother of my Lord?
I knew it without your telling me,
for as soon as I heard you calling,
the child inside me leaped for joy.
Blessed is she who believed
that the Lord’s promise to her would be fulfilled!”

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Abba, Father—
you sent your Son to free us from all that enslaves us,
and to reconcile all things in himself.
Grant us peace! Deliver us from evil!

Son of Mary—
you shared our humanity, and our suffering,
so that you would know how to aid your people.
Give us the compassion and the strength
to be with others in their suffering.

Promised Child, Son of God—
by the indwelling of your Spirit in our hearts,
you have transformed us also into God’s children.
Give us grace to grow into your likeness.

Emmanuel, God-with-us—
you came into the world
through the courage of the one who agreed to be your mother.
Give us also the courage to say “yes” to your call.

Word made flesh,
we encounter you in every person that we meet.
Fill us with your love,
and endow us with power
to minister to our fellow beings on your behalf.

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CONCLUDING PRAYER

Christ Jesus—
You were a human being.
You know our yearnings and our sufferings.

Our soul asks you:
Give us peace.

And in our darkness,
you kindle the fire
of your forgiveness and compassion.