Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 52

127.
Q. What is the sixth petition?
A. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” That is: since we are so weak that we cannot stand by ourselves for one moment, and besides, since our sworn enemies, the devil, the world, and our own sin, ceaselessly assail us, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us through the power of your Holy Spirit so that we may stand firm against them, and not be defeated in this spiritual warfare, until at last we obtain complete victory.

128.
Q. How do you close this prayer?
A. “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.” That is: we ask all this of you because, as our King, you are willing and able to give us all that is good since you have power over all things, and that by this not we ourselves but your holy name may be glorified forever.

129.
Q. What is the meaning of the little word “Amen”?
A. Amen means: this shall truly and certainly be. For my prayer is much more certainly heard by God than I am persuaded in my heart that I desire such things from him.

I used week 53 as a spare.

What we want most for Christmas we can’t have.
And that’s a very common situation.

We do have hope, and hope does not disappoint.

Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 51

126.
Q. What is the fifth petition?
A. “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” That is: be pleased, for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to charge to us, miserable sinners, our many transgressions, nor the evil which still clings to us. We also find this witness of your grace in us: that it is our sincere intention heartily to forgive our neighbour.

I’d never heard of Joni Mitchell’s song River before today.

And yet it pretty much sums up feelings about this time of year.
Or maybe just feelings generally.