THE SEASON OF ADVENT: please see resources below.

During Advent, we wait patiently for the Lord’s return… with a song of praise in our hearts. “Rejoice in the Lord, always: again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence:

O God, who sees how your people faithfully await the celebration of Christmas, enable us to realize the joys of our salvation, and to celebrate them always with reverent worship and glad rejoicing.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-6 (NLT)

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
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Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 146:6-10 (NLT)

He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord!

A Reading from the Apostle James’ Letter to the Church: James 5:7-10 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:2-11 (NLT)

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen — the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’

“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

Intercessions:

Lord God of Heaven and Earth: I come before You today with a patient, joyful spirit…. anticipating Christmas, and yet longing for Your return – when all things will be made new. Hear my prayers on behalf of Your people –

+ Fill us with the joy of knowing You are near… in our praying, our longing, our hoping as we live our daily lives.

+ Give us a spirit of contentment and generosity… when everyone around us says “get more”, may we cheerfully give more – especially to those desperately in need.

+ Set us free from our fears and anxieties… to live joyfully for You and for others.

+ Forgive us our sins… and keep us sound in mind and body until the coming of Your Son.

+ Help us to stand watchful and ready… until your Son is revealed in all his glory.

May we live as godly people… clothed in our Lord Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. Lord hear my prayer.

Hymn: “Gaudete” (Wikipedia)

Gaudete, gaudete / Christus est natus / Ex Maria Virgine / Gaudete
(Rejoice, rejoice! / Christ is born / Of the Virgin Mary / Rejoice!)

Tempus adest gratiae / Hoc quod optabamus / Carmina laetitiae / Devote reddamus
(The time of grace has come / What we have wished for / Songs of joy / Let us give back faithfully.)

Deus homo factus est / Natura mirante / Mundus renovatus est / A Christo regnante
(God has become man / Nature marveling / The world has been renewed / By Christ reigning.)

Ezechielis porta / Clausa pertransitur / Unde Lux est orta / Salus invenitur
(The closed gate of Ezekiel / Is passed through / Whence the light is raised / Salvation is found.)

Ergo nostra contio / Psallat iam in lustro / Benedicat Domino / Salus Regi nostro
(Therefore let our gathering / Now sing in brightness / Let it give praise to the Lord / Greeting to our King.)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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THE SEASON OF ADVENT: + Online Advent Calendar – US Catholic Conference of Bishops + Online Advent Calendar for Adults – Loyola Press + Busted Halo’s Surprise Advent Calendar + 2013 Advent Devotion Apps, eBooks and More! | ChurchMag