THETHIRD SUNDAYIN ADVENT YEAR A
Introduction
My friends in Christ, as the coming of the Lord draws closer, we are counselled to temper our anticipation with patience, to remain steadfast in faith, and to make our hearts ready for him, when he arrives.
Sentence
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God”
Isaiah 35.3-4
Or
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11.11
Collect
Sustain us, O God, with the power of your love on our journey to meet the One who is coming: strengthen our weak hands, make firm our feeble knees, and open blind eyes to the dawning of your kingdom, so that our hearts may rejoice as we behold the majesty of our God. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading Introductions
Isaiah 35:1-10. Most of the early chapters of Isaiah come from the 8th century BC, but some sections belong to the time of the exile, when a later prophet reflects on the restoration of Israel after the exile to Babylon.
James 5:7-10. The letter of James is really a general treatise on living wisely. It probably dates from the end of the first century AD. The author ends with advice on patient service till the day of the Lord comes.
Matthew 11:2-11. After describing the Sermon on the Mount and the selection of the twelve apostles, Matthew gives several episodes illustrating the authority of Jesus, including his authority in relation to John the Baptist.
Alleluia, Alleluia
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.
Alleluia!
Post Communion Prayer:
We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing
May the coming of the Son of God bring you the light of his holiness, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in love all the days of your life, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Copyright:
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia 1996
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal, 1982
Post Communion Sentence, Church House Publishing 1997
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Third Sunday in Advent-Year A