advent day 7: stoops

I never realized God’s birth before,

How He grew likest God in being born...

Such ever love’s way--to rise, it stoops.

Robert Browning

***

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

      because he has visited and redeemed his people.

He has sent us a mighty Savior

      from the royal line of his servant David,

just as he promised

      through his holy prophets long ago.

Now we will be saved from our enemies

      and from all who hate us.

He has been merciful to our ancestors

      by remembering his sacred covenant—

the covenant he swore with an oath

      to our ancestor Abraham.

We have been rescued from our enemies

      so we can serve God without fear,

in holiness and righteousness

      for as long as we live

Luke 1:67-75 NIV