Notable Feast Days this Week:

December 10 - 8th day of Hanukkah
December 11 - Daniel the Stylite, 493
December 12 - Finnian, Bishop of Clonard, 549
December 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1531 (Roman Catholic)
December 13 - Herman of Alaska, 1837 (Eastern)
December 14 - John of the Cross (Lutheran / Roman Catholic)
December 15 - Stephen of Sourozh, 760
December 16 - The Prophet Haggai (Eastern)

Revised Common Lectionary

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Phillipians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18


Daily Readings

Abbreviated Daily Readings
Liturgical Color - Purple/Blue

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--- The Third Sunday of Advent --- December 16, 2018 (Year C)
Rejoice!
"We should rejoice! The Lord promises us he will renew us with love and eventually bring us home to be with him (Zepheniah 3:14-20). We need not be anxious or afraid; rather, we can give thanks for our salvation and the strength that God gives us (Isaiah 12:2-6). We are promised "the peace of God, which passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:4-7) even as we prepare our hearts during Advent for the good news--Christ's coming (Luke 3:7-18)." 
-Thomas Oden
A Week for Joy and Gratitude
 
The Third Sunday of Advent focuses on the joy of coming redemption. It is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, a day that, "...takes its common name from the Latin word Gaudete ("Rejoice"). Throughout Scripture, God's people are reminded to take joy in the midst of waiting and to remember what God has done in the past:
 
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob (Phil. 4:4–6; Ps. 84:1)."
Advent Resources
Colors and Symbolism
  • Purple: The majesty of the King of Kings and the waiting that precedes it.  
  • Green: Symbol of immortality, life, and growth in Christ.
  • Circle: The eternal transcendence of God and life in Christ
  • Darkness: God's absence: Darkness overcome by the arrival of Christ the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2, Romans 13:12). We still wait for his Second Advent.
  • LightGod's presence
Poem
Scripture Readings
My former hopes are fled,
     My terror now begins; 
I feel, alas! that I am dead
     In trespasses and sins.
Ah, whither shall I fly?
     I hear the thunder roar; 
The Law proclaims Destruction nigh,
     And Vengeance at the door.
When I review my ways,
     I dread impending doom: 
But sure a friendly whisper says,
     “Flee from the wrath to come.”
I see, or think I see,
     A glimm’ring from afar; 
A beam of day, that shines for me,
     To save me from despair.
Fore-runner of the sun,
     It marks the pilgrim’s way; 
I’ll gaze upon it while I run,
     And watch the rising day.
-William Cowper 
"The Shining Light" from Olney Hymns

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Rejoice in God

Isaiah 12:2-6
The Holy One of Israel is in your midst

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice, the Lord is near

Luke 3:7-18
One more powerful is coming
 
 
Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

Bible in a Year
Chronological
Practicing Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. -from The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)
Morning Prayer (View and Download)
Advent Compline Prayer (View and Download)
Resources for Daily Prayer
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Hymn suggestions for the Third Week of Advent from Hymnary.org 

Three Modern Songs for Advent from Cardiphonia (Charts Included)                               Come, Messiah, ComeEmmanuel (God Has Come to Us)O Come, Divine Messiah​  

Advent Gloria | by Bobby Krier (Castle Island Hymns) | Leadsheet 

He Has Done Great Things (Magnificat) | by Philip Majorins | Leadsheet

Magnificat | by Rain for Roots | Capo Leadsheet

Mary's Song (Our King of Peace) | by Wendell Kimbrough | Leadsheet

Advent Hymn (The Lord Has Come to Dwell) | by Sarah Majorins | Leadsheet 

Savior of the Nations, Come | Leadsheet

Wait for the Lord | Taize Melody | Leadsheet 

Come Light Our Hearts | by Sandra McCraken | Leadsheet
Music for Listening (Advent)
Thematic Art 
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