Seventh Day
SUGGESTED READING: Psalm 93 
The Lord is king, robed in majesty, robed is the Lord and girded with power. The world is indeed set firm, it can never be shaken; your throne is set firm from of old, from all eternity you exist. The rivers lift up, O Lord, the rivers lift up their voices, the rivers lift up their thunder. Greater than the voice of many waters, more majestic than the breakers of the sea, the Lord is majestic in the heights. Your decrees stand firm, unshakable, holiness is the beauty of your house, O Lord, for all time to come. 


SUGGESTED READING: Matthew 2:1-12 
Now when Jesus was born in Be thlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people. He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet; 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel." 
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 


SUGGESTED READING: John 18: 33-38 
Pilate entered the praetorium again and Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your accord, or did others say it to you about me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from this world." Pilate said to him, so you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born; and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." 


HOMILY OR GROUP REFLECTION 


Prayer to Our Lady of the New Advent
O Lady and Mother
of the One who was and is and is to come,
dawn of the New Jerusalem,
we earnestly beseech you,
bring us by your intercession
so to live in love
that the Church, the Body of Christ,
may stand in this world's dark
as fiery icon of the New Jerusalem.
We ask you to obtain for us this mercy
through Jesus Christ, your Son and Lord,
who lives and reigns
with the Father in the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen. 


Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give use this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 


Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 


Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 
CLOSING HYMN: O Come, O Come Emmanuel 


1. O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God Appear. 


Refrain: REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL! 


2. O come, Thou Wisdom from, on high, Who ord'rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. 


3. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times didst give the law, In cloud and majesty and awe. 


4. O come, Thou rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust thy mighty pow'r to save, And give them vict'ry O'er the grave. 


5. O come, Thou key of David come, And open wide our heav'nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path of misery. 


6. O come, Thou dayspring from on high And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadow put to flight. 


7. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all human kind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our Prince of Peace. 
"O Emmanuel!"