2nd Day Before Christmas: Thursday 23 Dec 2021:
[Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

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.

We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes
when he received honor and glory from God the Father.
The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him,
“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
(2 Peter 1:16b-17)

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Psalms: Luke 1:46b-55 (NLT)

Magnificat – (Mary) Christy Nockels – Todd Agnew, Do You See What I See?

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OT Reading: Micah 4:6-8 (NLT)

Israel’s Return from Exile

4:6 “In that coming day,” says the Lord,
“I will gather together those who are lame,
those who have been exiles,
and those whom I have filled with grief.
7 Those who are weak will survive as a remnant;
those who were exiles will become a strong nation.
Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem
as their king forever.”
8 As for you, Jerusalem,
the citadel of God’s people,
your royal might and power
will come back to you again.
The kingship will be restored
to my precious Jerusalem.

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“Of The Father’s Love Begotten” from Out of Darkness

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NT Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21 (NLT)

1:16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

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This Is My Beloved Son – by Pepper Choplin – St Joseph the Worker Virtual Choir
[St Joseph the Worker, Pittsburgh]

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Prayer: [Universalis]

Though the Lord’s coming is at hand, we must have patience: for he will come in his own time, in his own way.
– Lord Jesus, give us patience while we wait.

We live in a world weighed down by unbelief: Lord, increase our faith.
– Lord Jesus, give us patience while we wait.

Upon the richness and complexity of man’s thoughts, among the theories and philosophies of our world today, let your coming shed its own glorious light.
– Lord Jesus, give us patience while we wait.

Give us the strong faith of the apostles, and their fervor in preaching your Word.
– Lord Jesus, give us patience while we wait.

Almighty God,
now that the birthday of your Son as man is drawing near, we pray that your eternal Word, who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary and came to dwell among men, will show your unworthy people the greatness of his love and mercy. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, (one) God, for ever and ever.

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Benediction: 

The Lord bless us,
and keep us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.

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