The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
ISAIAH 63:1-13
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.
ISAIAH 9:2
Come, Lord Jesus
our light and our salvation.
Let us walk in the light
of the Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus
our light and our salvation
Let us walk in the light
of the Lord.
PRAYER OF
CONFESSION
Merciful God, always with us, always coming:
We confess that we do not know how to prepare for your Advent.
We have forgotten how to hope in miracles.
We have ignored the promise of your kingdom.
We get distracted by all the busyness of this season.
Forgive us, God.
Grant us the simple wonder of the shepherds,
the intelligent courage of the Magi,
and the patient faith of Mary and Joseph,
that we may journey with them to Bethlehem
and find the good news of a child born for us.
Now, in the quiet of our hearts, we ask you to make us ready for his coming.
Maranatha, Amen.