Advent three
deals with the identity of the Messiah. The Gospel lesson (Matthew 11:2-11)
assures us that Jesus is the Messiah promised of old and that John the Baptizer
is the greatest of the prophets because he prepared the way for the Messiah.
The Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 35:1-10) shows what kind of world we will have
when the Lord comes to save us; utopia, paradise, healing and joy. The Epistle
lesson (James 5:7-10) takes us to the post-Easter experience when followers of
the Messiah are urged to patiently wait for his Second Coming. At this Second Coming,
the promised paradise in the Old Testament lesson will become a reality. Since
Jesus is the Coming One, He is worth waiting for with patience. In the Prayer
for the Day we ask for “the wisdom to see Your purpose” the purpose of Christ
is seen in the works of Jesus.
In the Gospel
we come to the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah. In the Old Testament we
are given a description of the conditions resulting from the messiah’s coming
to earth. Here we see the fulfillment of these conditions in Jesus’ ministry.
But, the
question may be asked, “Why do these conditions not exist on earth since Jesus
came about 2000 years ago?”
The answer is
given by James in the Epistle lesson who exhorts us to patiently wait for the
Messiah’s Second Coming when these conditions will become a reality for all of
God’s people.
Collect for
the Third Sunday in Advent: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to
hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious
visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever.
Stir up our
hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming, give us
strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of
this world.
God of
power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us
from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share His wisdom and become one
with Him when He comes in glory, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen
Lord, free
us from our sins and make us whole. Hear our prayer, and prepare us to
celebrate the incarnation of Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen
Collect for
Psalm 85: God of love and faithfulness, You so loved the world that
You gave Your only Son to be our Savior. Help us to receive Him as both Lord
and brother and freely celebrate Him as our gracious Redeemer now and forever.
Collect for Psalm 146: God of glory
and power, happy indeed are those who have put their trust in You. shine the
brightness of Your light upon us that w may love You always with a pure heart
and praise Your forever. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Monday, 05
December 2022— Psalm 85 - The Antiphon for
this coming week’s Introit comes from verse 7, Show us Your unfailing
love, O Lord; and grant us Your salvation. God’s sure mercies to His people
spring from His covenant of live, to which in His faithfulness and
righteousness He remains true, and that assures His people will receive His
abiding peace.
Tuesday, 06
December 2022— Psalm 146, key verse, 1b – “Praise the lord,
O my soul!” The Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday is an exhortation to
trust in the Lord and is the first of five Hallelujah psalms with which the
Psalter closes. This, and the remaining four psalms, are all framed with
Hallelujahs.
Wednesday,
07 December 2022— Isaiah 35:1-10 – When God
comes to save His people, they will enjoy paradise. The Old
Testament lesson speaks of the conditions resulting from God’s coming to His
people. When God comes to save His people, they will enjoy paradise. Advent 3
deals with the identity of the Messiah. At the second coming, the promised
paradise will become a reality. Our lesson shows us what kind of world we will
have when the Lord comes to save us: paradise, healing and joy.
Thursday,
08 December 2022— James 5:7-11 – Be patient in waiting for
the Lord’s return. In our Epistle lesson, James expresses patience
in waiting for the Lord’s return.
He exhorts us
to patiently wait for the Messiah’s Second Coming. Since Jesus is the Messiah,
He is worth waiting for with patience.
Friday, 09
December 2022- Matthew 11:2-15 – John the Baptizer
sends a delegation to learn if Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus says John is the
greatest of the prophets. In the Gospel lesson, we are given evidence
that Jesus is the Messiah. John the Baptist sends a delegation to learn if
Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus says John is the greatest of the prophets. We
come to the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah.
The ultimate
confession to be a Christian is to say Jesus is Lord, or the Messiah (Christ).
How does one come to such a conclusion? We dare not take anybody’s word.
Rather, we
find out for ourselves by studying the evidence. This wi what Jesus told the
disciples of John the Baptizer to do and then to go back and let John know what
has been said and done. We do not take our faith on hearsay. Rather, we base
our faith grounded in fact.
Saturday,
10 December 2022— Romans 13:11 – This verse is the
inspiration for the hymn, “Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding”. Paul
reminds us that the certain coming of the end of this present age is used to
provide motivation for godly living. {See Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 13:33-37; 2
Peter 3:11-14} The time of salvation, the closing period of the present age,
before the consummation of the kingdom remind us that now is the hour. The time
for action is now. The full realization of salvation at the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ is nearer now then it was before. Every day brings us closer to
the second advent of Christ. Our prayer is simple, “Come; come Lord Jesus,
come even today!”
Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006
Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General
Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Advent copyright © Ed Riojas Higher
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