Luke 2   New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) Chapter 2 The Birth of Jesus.   1  In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus  that the whole world should be enrolled.  2  This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3  So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.  4  And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,   5  to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.   6  While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,  7  and she gave birth to her firstborn son.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8  Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.  9  T...

Luke 1:26-38   New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) 26  In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,  27  to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.   28  And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”   29  But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  30  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  32  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,  and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,  33  and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”   34  But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, ...

Matthew 9:35-36   New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) The Compassion of Jesus.   35  Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  36  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned,  like sheep without a shepherd. Reflect on the Trinity and the Incarnation - why did Jesus come?

  103  Bless the  Lord , O my soul,      and all that is within me,      bless his holy name! 2  Bless the  Lord , O my soul,      and  forget not all his benefits, 3  who  forgives all your iniquity,      who  heals all your diseases, 4  who  redeems your life from the pit,      who  crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5  who  satisfies you with good      so that your youth is renewed like  the eagle's. 6  The  Lord  works  righteousness      and justice for all who are oppressed. 7  He made known his  ways to Moses,      his  acts to the people of Israel. 8  The  Lord  is  merciful and gracious,      slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9  He wil...

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge. O see, in guilt was I born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe so as to give you a future and a hope. When you call me, when you come to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, and I will change your lot. I will gather you together from all the nations and from all the places to which I've banished you. I will bring you back from the place to which I've exiled you.

Psalm 131 A song of ascents. Of David. Lord , my heart is not proud;      nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters,      with things too sublime for me. 2  Rather, I have stilled my soul, Like a weaned child to its mother,      weaned is my soul. 3  Israel, hope in the  Lord ,      now and forever.