Today Is: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Collect for: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

1 Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, 'See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.' 3 Then Nathan said to the king, 'Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.' 4 But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: 'Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?' ' ' 8 Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house.

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.' ' '

19 Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 89

19 Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said: 'I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. 24 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. 25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. 26 He shall cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'

*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament
Romans 16:25-27

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith -- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38

Introduction to the Gospel:
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 1, beginning at verse 26.

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!' 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.' 34 Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' 35 And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.' 38 Then Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her.

After the Gospel reading, the deacon can elevate the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People for: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is very near, therefore let us turn to Him Who fulfills all our needs.  For the Church; that She will actively preach Christ's message of God's unconditional love and forgiveness.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those seduced by materialism and greed; that their lives will be characterized by generosity and goodwill.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who are preparing for the birth of a child; that they, like Mary, will see the child as a gift from God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who are planning to travel to meet loved ones; that they will reach their destinations safely.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For all of God's people; that they will respond to Gods call on their life in the words of Mary, 'let it be done unto me according to Your will.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For the conversion of Islam and other world religions and philosophies that are in opposition to the Word of God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who will be celebrating the holidays alone and for those who have lost loved ones this year.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.  Hear our prayer and give us the grace to be obedient and faithful servants. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN