Advent Meditation # 17

My soul doth MAGNIFY The LORD...

And Mariam said,

My soul doth

MAGNIFY The LORD...

Luke 1:46

Mariam's response to Elisabeth's blessing was to ENLARGE

upon the GLORY of The LORD,

her LORD,

within her young soul.

Her heart and mind were over-flowing like Elisabeth's with laud and praise of 

Glory to GOD in the Highest !

She could hold no more; her cup was running over. Praised POURED out of her very being.  Praises to GOD MOST HIGH. 

We know some of the martyrs did too.

Stephen, the first martyr,

magnified The LORD

even as his murderers

gnashed upon him with their teeth. 

"But Stephen, being full of the HOLY SPIRIT, looked up steadfastly into Heaven,

and saw the glory of GOD,

and JESUS standing

on the right hand of GOD, and said,

BEHOLD, I see The Heavens opened,

and the SON+ of Man

standing on the right hand of GOD ! "  

Acts 7:55-56

MEDITATION

O FATHER GOD, SAVIOR of all Christian martyrs and faithful and true confessors,

I thank THEE for sending

Thy blessed HOLY SPIRIT

to fill the very souls of Thy+ children

with praise. 

We take no glory unto ourselves, O LORD.

Our goodness is nothing apart from THEE+.

We laud and magnify Thy+ HOLY Name, evermore praising THEE+ and saying: 

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,   

LORD GOD of HOSTS, 

Heaven and earth

are full of Thy+ Glory! 

Glory be to THEE+ O LORD MOST HIGH. 

Blessed is HE+ that cometh

in the Name of The LORD. 

HOSANNA

IN THE HIGHEST! 

AMEN.  

ADVENT MEDITATIONS #16

...And HIS+ Name is called
The WORD+ of GOD  ...

And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from The LORD.

Luke 1:45

When The LORD speaks,

IT HAPPENS!

HE+ is the LOGOS+ of GOD... the Living WORD+.  

And HE+ was clothed with a vesture dipped in Blood; and His+ Name is called The WORD+ of GOD. 

Rev. 19:13

The WORD+ of The LORD has been tried... tested and proved to be FAITHFUL and TRUE !

HE+ was FAITHFUL and TRUE to His+ FATHER.

HE+ was FAITHFUL and TRUE to His+ Disciples.

HE+ is FAITHFUL and TRUE to all who follow HIM+ in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.

MEDITATION

O FAITHFUL and TRUE LORD,  The Holy ONE+ of Israel who cannot lie, blessed art THOU+ for being the tried and tested Living WORD+ of GOD. 

I worship THEE+ for remaining FAITHFUL and TRUE to Our Heavenly FATHER during Thy+ Passion on the Cross. 

I thank THEE+ for remaining FAITHFUL and TRUE to Thy+ Disciples and followers throughout the ages. 

I bless THEE+ for being FAITHFUL and TRUE to me...  the one who has not always been faithful and true to THEE+. 

Work in me, O LORD, Thy+ great salvation every day... saving me from my Self,  my deadliest enemy.  

These things I pray in the ONE+ Name given under Heaven among men whereby we can be saved... The LORD JESUS CHRIST.   

Advent Meditation # 15



The lame shall LEAP as an hart... when HE+ comes. 



For lo, as soon as the voice of thy greeting sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:44

Leaped the miraculous babe John growing inside of Elisabeth !

Walking and leaping and praising GOD was the crippled man healed in the Name of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST ! 

At Lystra, The Apostle Paul perceived a cripple from birth had faith to be healed.  This one also leaped and walked !

THEN... shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf un-stopped, than shall the lame LEAP as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb, shall sing !

Isaiah 35:6-7

Now... the Words of CHRIST JESUS Himself+  :

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the SON+ of Man's sake. 

Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP for JOY; for behold, your reward is great in Heaven; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Luke 6:22-23

MEDITATION

O GOD Who inhabitest the praises of Thy People, inhabit my praises too that I bring to you with a full, full heart.

I am hungry for Thy+ touch; I love THEE+ very much. I exult in Thy+ great salvation for me and for whosoever will come. THOU+, O Gracious SAVIOR, turneth no hungry soul away from Thy+ Table.

Fill me, O LORD, fill me anew with Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT so my heart and soul -- yea, even my body -- will leap for joy.

I rejoice with Mariam: My soul proclaims the greatness of The LORD and my spirit exults in CHRIST my SAVIOR.

Blessing, honor, glory, and power be unto HIM that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto The LAMB+ !

LEAP for JOY for your REDEMPTION+ draweth nigh!

Advent Meditations 2012 #14

The SPIRIT and the BRIDE ( of CHRIST) say: COME!

And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my LORD+ should come to me?

Luke 1:43

Recognition! Elisabeth recongnized who Mariam was... because... she recognized Who+ her LORD+ was!

Due to her immediated filling of the HOLY SPIRIT, Elisabeth had a Word of Knowledge--- she comprehended without figuring it out -- two exciting , prophetic events before any human mouth spoke them to her.

Elisabeth knew via the HOLY SPIRIT that: 

• The MESSIAH+ for the human race was being robed in flesh and about to burst upon the human scene,

• The Hebrew virgin Mariam, her young kinswoman, was selected by GOD for the practical necessities of bringing The MESSIAH+ into the human race

MEDITATION

O Ruler of the universe, great deeds are they which THOU hast done, surpassing human understanding. O THOU WHO intervenes in the affairs of men, bring about Thy Holy Will on earth, as it is in Heaven... and bring in about in me.

O, make me a fit vessel for Thy+ purpose, O LORD. As we see the armies surrounding Jerusalem for "other" purposes supposedly, help me to look up and be found watching, for our REDEMPTION+ draweth nigh.

(Luke 21:20-28) 

That REDEMPTION+... our LORD JESUS CHRIST+... the only name given under Heaven among men whereby we can be saved. 

The SPIRIT and the BRIDE ( of CHRIST) say: COME!  Let him who heareth say, COME! Let all who are athirst say, COME!  And whosoever will, let him take the water of Life freely.

COME, LORD JESUS, COME ! 

Advent Meditations 2012

Blessed art THOU+, LORD GOD of our FATHERS...

And Elisabeth spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42

His+ favor rests upon you --- BLESSED --- is a wonderful confirmation from cousin Elisabeth that Mariam was central in the Will of The LORD, as she carried the HOLY CHILD JESUS in her virgin womb.

This confirmation was precious for Mariam, you see, had no time to tell Elisabeth about the situation before she saw her.

So... how did Elisabeth know to so loudly proclaim such blessings being bestowed upon young Mariam ?

Elisabeth knew because she was immediately filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.  This happened upon hearing even the voice of her kinswoman Mariam who was with child.

Now, recall, Elisabeth knew all about miraculous babies already... for she herself was carrying John the Baptist in her womb during her old age. She who was barren !

Meditation

O GOD Who bringeth forth all manner of impossibilities, bring forth new growth also:  an intense desire to do Thy+ will.

I am painfully aware of when I follow my own desires; have mercy  upon me; I repent.  Please cleanse my heart of self-interest, self-love.

O LORD, help me to guide those little lives  THOU+ hast entrusted unto me to set Thy+ will always before their eyes . Then they will have no regrests --- like I do --- as they walk through life, living for JESUS instead of Self. 

Blessed art THOU+, O LORD GOD, King of the universe! THOU+ Who +  hast shown us the path of Life+.  Amen.  

Advent Meditations 2012



JOY+ to the world...



MEDITATION 12

And Mariam arose in those days

and went into the hill country with haste,

into a city of Judah;

and entered into the house of Zacharias,

and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass that,

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mariam, the babe leaped in her womb;

and Elisabeth was filled

with the HOLY SPIRIT.

Luke 1: 39-41

Do we leap for joy when we hear the name of JESUS .... when we hear someone exalting HIM+ ?

Do we rejoice so much that we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, as Elisabeth was ?

O House of Joy ! For even the babe in Elisabeth's womb knew when to leap for joy!

Meditation

O LAMB that was slain.... for the joy that was set before THEE+ , THOU+ didst endure the Cross, despising the shame.

Me, I am lacking endurance, O LORD , as THOU+ knowest. Instead of enduring, I run and hide. I turn my attention to "other important things". I hide in books, DVD's, duties, and even fellowship.

Increase my steadfastness, O MIGHTY ONE+, and help me to engage the battle against my flesh, to endure until the victory is sure and certain. Keep me from avoiding the Cross THOU+ hast chosen for me.

When I have endured, Thy+ Joy will be my portion and THEN, my joy will be full. 

I thank THEE+ for enduring the Cross so that I, when I endure my little cross, I may have JOY, also. 

Joy to the World!  Yes, JOY cometh by the means of the Cross. Yes indeed, JOY+ to the world!

In the name of JESUS I pray. Amen. 

Advent Meditations 2012



Oh, Come! Let us adore HIM+ !

 Meditation  11

And Mariam said, Behold the handmaid of the LORD; be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the Angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 

Behold, a true Servant of The LORD.  Called to receive ignominy, condemnation, and accusations , the Hebrew virgin Mariam gave herself over to do The LORD'S Will.

Her intent:  to please The LORD... no matter what happened to her in the future. Stoning. Rejection. Loneliness. No home of her own amongst "decent" society. No husband. No income. Raising a child who would be an outcast, also... even among family.

Yes, The Holy CHILD JESUS growing in her womb as a normal baby would become  The Outcast+ of all outcasts.  

That is why HE+ could say :

 "Come unto ME+ all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I +  will give you rest.  Take My+ yoke upon you and learn of ME+.  For I+ am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Meditation

O Chief SHEPHERD and BISHOP+ of our souls, form in me an unshakable intent to please THEE+, no matter the cost to Self.

Remove from me the lust to control. Make me soft and pliable in Thy Hands. Thy+ Will, O LORD, Thy+ Will ... my goal in Life.

Bless THOU+ O Perfect Savior, Who+ learned obedience by the things THOU+ didst suffer.

Bless THOU+, O Holy ONE+, Who+ was an outcast so that THOU+ couldst welcome all outcasts  unto THEE+.

Bless THOU:  O FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT.

Advent Meditations 2012

Advent Meditations

Luke 1:36-37

And behold, thy cousin, Elisabeth,

hath also conceived a son in her old age;

and this is the sixth month with her,

who was called barren.

For with GOD

nothing shall be impossible.

Unexpected comfort is given to the Obedient Servant of GOD, the Hebrew virgin Mariam.  Although being found with child out of wedlock would bring a certain and sure condemnation from others, The LORD planned a way to comfort the Obedient One, confirming His+ Word to Mariam. 

Herein is a lesson for us: No matter how bitter the obedience, The LORD will always send a confirmation to those obeying him.

How sweet that confirmation is in the midst of cross-carrying!

As the Obedient Servant commits his / her life unto the Hand of The LORD, and rejoices,  then The LORD will send His+ Comforter to the suffering, Obedient Follower of His+ will.

And to him [ Gamaliel ] they agreed; and when they had called the Apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of JESUS, and let them go .

And they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for HIS+ name.

And daily in the Temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach JESUS CHRIST. Acts 5: 40-42

Meditation

Gracious Heavenly FATHER Who maketh the bitterest obedience endurable, help me to embrace the bitter Way of The Cross.

As our SAVIOR embraced the bitter sting of death to open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers, help me to embrace Thy will when it involves sorrow, suffering, ignominy, and pain.

And, O FATHER, in The Name of Thy Suffering SON+ JESUS, help me to comfort those who mourn and suffer as the result of  preaching Thy Word, as the result of doing Thy Will.

Let me never, ever close my eyes to the suffering of my brothers and sisters who bear in their bodies the scars of the cross... the Cross THOU+ has brought for them to bear.

I thank THEE for allowing me in some small way join our SAVIOR in His+ suffering; I know at the appointed time, HE+ will wipe away all my tears. 

Glory to THEE+, LORD GOD of our fathers; THOU+ are worthy of praise. Glory to THEE+ ! 

Advent Meditations 2012

And the SPIRIT and the Bride say, COME! 

Meditation 9

Luke 1:35

And the angel ansered, and said unto her, The HOLY SPIRIT shall come upon thee,

and the power of The HIGHEST shall overshadow thee;

therefore also that HOLY ONE+

which shall be born of thee

shall be called the

SON+ of GOD.

Graciously, The LORD directed the Angel Gabriel to explain the conception of the HOLY CHILD JESUS to The Hebrew virgin Mariam.

Many a time, HE+ does explain our journey's events to us when we are overwhelmed. At other times, though, HE+ does NOT give us an explanation for the obediences HE+ requires of us... and we could be just as overwhelmed.

THAT IS HIS+ CHOICE,

as SOVEREIGN LORD.

With or without an explanation from HIM+, we are expected to complete our obediences without grumbling and complaining, trusting in His+ love for us. 

His+ love for us will work out to be the best thing for us and for the Kingdom work.

And we know: All things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called, according to HIS+ purpose. Rom. 8:28.

How much we please HIM+ when we trust His+ way with us, praise HIM+ for it, and do His+ will , rejoicing !

 

Meditation

 

O THOU+ Who+ knowest the end from the beginning, I yield myself unto THEE+. I will be content in Thy+ Will, whether I understand it or not, whether I like it or not.

 

I trust THEE+, O Righteous SAVIOR, to do for me and with me what is best for Thy+ Kingdom and ultimately, what is best for me.

 

Fix my eyes on Eternity with THEE+, LORD JESUS. O , fix them firmly .

 

For, THOU art HOLY. THOU art The LORD. THOU only, O CHRIST, with The HOLY SPIRIT, art most high in the Glory of GOD The FATHER.

I worship and praise THEE+, O SOVEREIGN KING+ .

Advent Meditations

Mary, did you know.... ?  

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 8

34 Then said Mariam unto the angel,
How shall this be,
seeing I know not a man?

Poor Girl! She had been with no man carnally... yet she was expected to believe that she would become with child... and bear the scorn and rejection designated for the impure.

Bitterness and grief --- at least socially and perhaps even within the immediate family circle --- was to be young Mariam's bitter portion.  She knew she was innocent, but  even  her betrothed, Joseph, her closest friend, thought she had played the harlot.

Poor, sad, lonely girl with not a friend in the world!

Meditation

O GOD of all mercies, Who+ looketh upon Thy+ children with compassion for their infirmities and weaknesses, help me to do the same.

More love to THEE+ , O CHRIST, is my need today. Then, when I love THEE+  more, I will have more love towards those enslaved by weaknesses, bitterness, grief and fear.

O HOLY CHILD JESUS, I thank THEE+ for embracing the souls of men who are filled with weakness, bitterness, grief, and fear...  just like me.  For, all those --- any of those --- who come to THEE+, O SAVIOR of mankind, THOU+ wilt not turn away.

+  +  +

Advent Meditations 2012

We're going to see The STRENGTH+ of Israel !
Come with us.

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 7

33 And HE+ shall reign

over the house of Jacob for ever;

and of HIS+ Kingdom

there shall be no end.

Gabriel, the Mighty Angel who stands in the Presence of GOD even to this present moment ... told Mariam there would be no end to the Kingdom over which that Divine Babe+ in the womb would  rule. 

No end in sight! KING+ of Kings and LORD+ of Lords!  That name will be written upon HIS+ vesture and upon HIS+ thigh when The LORD, FAITHFUL and TRUE comes upon a white horse from Heaven Rev.19:11-16. And HE+ shall reign for ever and ever. Hallelu-JAH !

Meditation

O Great KING+ of kings and LORD+ of Lords, Who+ alone delivers from the grip of satan, I bend my knee to THEE+ alone. 

O COMMANDER-in-CHIEF+ of the Heavenly Armies, I choose THEE+ and THEE+ alone to be my CAPTAIN+. 

Help me always to do those things that please THEE+, O STRENGTH+ of ISRAEL, so that I may be found in the ranks of Thy+ Saints when the Last Great Battle on planet earth occurs.  

Increase my obedience, O THOU+ Who+ art my strength, so that I am not found wanting at the Great Judgment Seat of CHRIST. 

+ + +  

Advent Meditations 2012

Where is HE+... that we might worship HIM+?

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 6

 HE+

shall be great,

and shall be called

the SON+ of the HIGHEST:

and the LORD GOD shall give

unto HIM+ 

the throne of His+ father David:

Verse 32

JESUS will be called  SON+ of the HIGHEST.

The LORD [ YHWH] hath said unto ME+, THOU+ art My SON+ ; this day have I begotten THEE+. Psalm 2:7

This great, only-BEGOTTEN, unique SON+ of GOD will receive the nations as His+ Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth as His+ Possession. Psalm 2:8

Now note this well: satan offered Our LORD JESUS the same thing...  in the temptations... to be acquired unlawfully. 

However, HE+ will inherit it ALL lawfully because HE+ obeyed the Will of His+ FATHER.

Furthermore, , what will Our LORD JESUS CHRIST  do with those nations and possessions of the uttermost parts of the earth when HE+ inherits them ALL?

Scripture plainly tells us what HE+ will do:

HE+ is going to break them

with a Rod of Iron!

HE+ is going to dash them

in pieces like a potter's vessel !

HE+ does not require all the wealth and splendor of all the nations on planet earth to make HIM+ great !

NO !

His+ Heavenly FATHER was well-pleased with the obedience of His SON+, who learned that obedience through the things that HE+ suffered.  

Amen.

Maranatha...

Come, LORD JESUS, Come !

Meditation

Almighty GOD our Heavenly FATHER, Who alone through Thy Greatness is able to bestow greatness upon the most humble, create in me a Divine desire for lowliness. 

Remove from me my desire for loftiness, for it is Thy realm alone. 

Keep Thy Greatness ever before my eyes, O LORD, to the end that my glory may sing praise to THEE, and not be silent, O LORD my GOD. 

These things I pray in the Name of JESUS CHRIST,  the SON+ of The HIGHEST.

+  +  +  

 

Advent Meditations 2012

We are coming!

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 5

30 And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary:

for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold,

thou shalt conceive in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call HIS+ name Jesus.

"You shall call HIS+ name JESUS..."

 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under Heaven given among men,  whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

 

 >>> No other way exists to enter Heaven.

 

Wherefore GOD also hath highly exalted HIM+, and given HIM+ a Name which is above every Name: That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow of beings in Heaven, and beings in earth, and beings under the earth:

 

And that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER. Philippians 2:9,10.

 

JESUS said, " I+ AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto The FATHER, except by ME+."

 

Meditation:

 

Heavenly FATHER, O THOU Who has sent us a way out of this gross darkness, hear the cry of my heart for my un-saved family and my un-saved neighbors and friends.

 

I lay down all my hindering fears of rejection. Set me free, I pray THEE, to share Thy Salvation through JESUS according to Thy Divine Will and purpose for their life.

 

Grant me such a fervor for their souls that "Eternity With JESUS" is stamped  upon my forehead... and "Eternity Without HIM+" is stamped upon my eyes, with great sadness. 

 

Bring forth, O Gracious LORD, Thy convincing to the wayward and soul-lost ones.

 

I thank THEE, O LORD JESUS, for laying down all Thy+ fears in order to rescue me.

Advent Meditations 2012

What shall I bring HIM+, small as I am ?

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 4

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled

at his saying, and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation this should be.

Troubled... at being so honored in a greeting by the great Angelic Warrior GABRIEL who to this day, this very moment  stands in the Presence of The LORD . 

Yes, and well might any person on earth be so troubled, no matter how important a personage one might be.

Yet, here was a lowly, un-assuming, pure, and faith-filled young Hebrew virgin being addressed so royally !

Mariam knew she was lowly and from a rustic area. Her highest goal in life likely was  to marry and raise children --- hopefully to adulthood in those hard times --- and live to see her grand-babies. A normal life, a normal goal.

Meditation

O LORD GOD Who treasures the lowly ones, the ones who are poor in spirit, I yield unto THEE my inflated opinion of myself.

I see, O LORD, that THOU art not impressed by human skills, knowledge, and earthly importance. 

All things that lift me up, O LORD, I give unto THEE.  All things that would cause others to admire me, I place on Thy+ altar. All things , these, cause me to stumble. 

Help me to don the cloak of lowliness in my inner man... so that I can be truly useful to THEE, for Thy Kingdom's work.

I thank THEE+, Dearest FRIEND+, for calling me "brother." 

+  +  + 

Advent Meditations 2012

Whom are they seeking?

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 3

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

The Hebrew virgin Mariam ~ Bitterness and Grief ~ was visited by the Angel Gabriel, a mighty warrior angel.  Mariam was peculiarly greeted as an honored person.

Not even Daniel was greeted like this when Gabriel visited him, twice! Neither was Zachariah so greeted.

Indeed, this was VERY strange that a simple, "rustic" Galilean young virgin would be addressed so honorably.

"Hail" is used in place of an honorable greeting like, "Cheer!"  or "Health!" or "Be Well!" 

Good news it is indeed when a great and mighty warrior who stands in the Presence of GOD  ( Luke 1:19) greets a little human being like that ! 

It is the ONLY place in Scripture that an Angel so addresses a human being in those terms. The young Hebrew virgin Mariam had HIS divine approval ! 

Meditation:

O GOD Who is the LORD of the most powerful, most divine armies in the Universe, be pleased to look upon this little human being... me.

Gracious ONE Who sent forth Thy mighty Angel to little Mariam, send, I beseech THEE, Thy ministering spirit to encamp round about little me, also.

Return to me an innocent trust, a pure faith,  like Thy chosen Hebrew virgin had, which won Thy approval to bear the CHRIST CHILD...  that approval which was so strongly placed upon this young Hebrew virgin that even the Angels knew it.

Help me with purity, O LORD. Purity of thought, purity of motive, purity of love.

With thankfulness unending, for receiving me, O LORD, I pray this in the Name of JESUS, Thy HOLY SON+, Our LORD.

+  +  + 

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012



Wise men seek HIM+...



ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 2



²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

David, in Hebrew, means "beloved."  Mary, however, is really "Mariam" --- which has its Hebrew root in bitterness and grief.   Some say "strength." Joseph's name means "add."  Strange, yes?

The birth-mother of Our LORD carried the identity of Bitter Grief while she carried the HOLY CHILD JESUS in her womb.

Even though Mariam was of the house and lineage of David, the beloved, The LORD appointed to this Hebrew virgin a name which would encompass strong bitterness and grief, as the Prophet Simeon told her in the Temple after the CHRIST CHILD was born.

The LORD graciously "added" a protection to this Hebrew virgin, appointing Joseph as a GOWRA (from the Aramaic text which means "a male guardian"), to protect Mariam and the Holy Child JESUS Whom+ she carried under her heart, in her womb.

Marrying "Bitterness and Grief" was Joseph's Appointed Cup...  as he became The LORD'S Appointed guardian over his little, divine family.

MEDITATION:

O GOD, Who+ encircles those suffering in bitter grief in Thy+ tender, Nail-Scarred Hands... take the bitterness and grief of my soul's regrets unto THEE+.

And when my cup is Bitter again, send forth unto me a spirit of gentle submission... like the submissive spirit of gentle Mariam... even in the midst of the Cup of Grief THOU+ hast chosen for me.

I thank THEE, O HOLY FATHER, for sending Thy Gentle SON+ Who+ obediently drank the Cup of Bitterness for the good of Mankind ... for the good of me.

+  +  +