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The Third Sunday of Advent |
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up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we
are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily
help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and
the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
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Lesson |
Isaiah 35:1-10
The Return of the Redeemed to Zion
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and
blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy
and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of
Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our
God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those
who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come
with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing
for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the
desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs
of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become
reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the
Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err
therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the
ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. |
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Epistle |
James 5:7-10
Patience in Suffering
Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it
until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not
grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold,
the Judge is standing at the doors. As an example of suffering and patience,
brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. |
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Gospel |
Matthew 11:2-11
Messengers from John the Baptist
"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star
in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this,
he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was
to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by
the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means
least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will
govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and
ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you
have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When
they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had
seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great
joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and
they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they
offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. |
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