Getting Ready for Advent 4

Introduction to the Word for Worship

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

-Luke 1:41-45 (ESV)

You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore obtained the fruit of faith. “Blessed … are you who have believed.” But you also are blessed who have heard and believed. For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word of God and declares his works.

-St. Ambrose

The Collect of the Day

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Word:

(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)

First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a
Psalm 80:1-7 (follows the playlist below)
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:1-10
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-56

(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)

Psalm 80-1:7

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a sheep; *

show yourself also, you that sit upon the cherubim.

2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *

stir up your strength and come to help us.

3 Restore us again, O God; *

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be whole.

4 O Lord God of hosts, *

how long will you be angry with your people that pray?

5 You feed them with the bread of tears *

and give them plenteous tears to drink.

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7 Restore us again, O God of hosts; *