Sunday, December 6, 2020 Second Sunday of Advent
Introduction
John calls people to repent, to clear the decks, to completely reorder their lives so that nothing gets in the way of the Lord’s coming. The reading from Isaiah gives the context for this radical call: the assurance of forgiveness that encourages us to repent; the promise that the coming one will be gentle with the little ones. Isaiah calls us all to be heralds with John, to lift up our voices fearlessly and say, “See, your God is coming!” We say it to one another in worship, in order to say it with our lives in a world in need of justice and peace.
Readings and Psalms
Isaiah 40:1-11 Good news of God’s coming to a people in exile
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Righteousness shall prepare a pathway for God.
2 Peter 3:8-15a Waiting for and hastening the day of God
Mark 1:1-8 John appears from the wilderness
John calls people to repent, to clear the decks, to completely reorder their lives so that nothing gets in the way of the Lord’s coming. The reading from Isaiah gives the context for this radical call: the assurance of forgiveness that encourages us to repent; the promise that the coming one will be gentle with the little ones. Isaiah calls us all to be heralds with John, to lift up our voices fearlessly and say, “See, your God is coming!” We say it to one another in worship, in order to say it with our lives in a world in need of justice and peace.
Readings and Psalms
Isaiah 40:1-11 Good news of God’s coming to a people in exile
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Righteousness shall prepare a pathway for God.
2 Peter 3:8-15a Waiting for and hastening the day of God
Mark 1:1-8 John appears from the wilderness
Sunday, December 13, 2020 Third Sunday of Advent
ntroduction
“Rejoice always,” begins the reading from 1 Thessalonians. Isaiah and the psalmist make clear that God is turning our mourning into laughter and shouts of joy. “All God’s children got a robe,” go the words of a spiritual. It is not so much a stately, formal, pressed outfit as it is a set of party clothes, clothes we are happy to wear. We receive that robe in baptism, and in worship we gather for a foretaste of God’s party.
Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Righteousness and praise flourish like a garden
Psalm 126 The Lord has done great things for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Kept in faith until the coming of Christ
John 1:6-8, 19-28 A witness to the light
“Rejoice always,” begins the reading from 1 Thessalonians. Isaiah and the psalmist make clear that God is turning our mourning into laughter and shouts of joy. “All God’s children got a robe,” go the words of a spiritual. It is not so much a stately, formal, pressed outfit as it is a set of party clothes, clothes we are happy to wear. We receive that robe in baptism, and in worship we gather for a foretaste of God’s party.
Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Righteousness and praise flourish like a garden
Psalm 126 The Lord has done great things for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Kept in faith until the coming of Christ
John 1:6-8, 19-28 A witness to the light
Sunday, December 20, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent
Introduction
On this final Sunday of the church year our gospel is Jesus’ great story of judgment. In the end, the faithful are those who served Christ by ministering to those who are poor, hungry, naked, sick, or estranged. In the first reading God is the shepherd who seeks the lost, weak, and injured and feeds them with justice. We gather this day to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet we await the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds.
Readings and Psalm
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 The Lord’s promise to David
Luke 1:46b-55 You, Lord, have lifted up the lowly.
Romans 16:25-27 The mystery of God revealed in Jesus Christ
Luke 1:26-38 The angel appears to Mary
On this final Sunday of the church year our gospel is Jesus’ great story of judgment. In the end, the faithful are those who served Christ by ministering to those who are poor, hungry, naked, sick, or estranged. In the first reading God is the shepherd who seeks the lost, weak, and injured and feeds them with justice. We gather this day to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet we await the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds.
Readings and Psalm
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 The Lord’s promise to David
Luke 1:46b-55 You, Lord, have lifted up the lowly.
Romans 16:25-27 The mystery of God revealed in Jesus Christ
Luke 1:26-38 The angel appears to Mary
Thursday, December 24, 2020 Nativity of Our Lord I: Christmas Eve
Introduction
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.
Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us
Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] God with us
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.
Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us
Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] God with us