A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/9

On the church calendar, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception but when the 8th falls on a Sunday in Advent, it is transferred to the following day, December 9.

Image: Michael McGrath

This "family portrait" shows us Anna and Joachim, parents of Mary (at the top of the image); and pictured in their embrace is Joseph with Mary and her son, Jesus; a dove nearby reminds us that Mary conceived Jesus of the Holy Spirit. Mary is venerated as the Immaculate Conception, she who was conceived immaculately, preserved from original sin, in the womb of her mother, Anna.

The preface prayer from the former Sacramentary offers us a short lesson in the theology of this day and provides us with our Pause for Prayer this evening.

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

   we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

You allowed no stain of Adam’s sin

   to touch the Virgin Mary.

Full of grace,

   she was to be a worthy mother of your Son,

   your sign of favor to the Church at its beginning,

   and the promise of its perfection

   as the bride of Christ, radiant in beauty.

Purest of virgins, she was to bring forth your Son,

   the innocent lamb who takes away our sins.

You chose her from all women

   to be our advocate with you

   and our pattern of holiness.

In our joy we sing to your glory

   with all the choirs of angels:

      Holy, holy, holy!