Notable Feast Days this Week:

December 2 - The Prophet Habakkuk (Eastern)
December 3 - The Prophet Zephaniah (Eastern)
December 3 - Francis Xavier, 1552 (Lutheran/Roman)
December 4 - John of Damascus, 749
December 5 - Crispina, Numidia, 304
December 6 - Abraham of Kratia, Bithynia, 558
December 7 - Ambrose of Milan, 397
December 7 - Africans Martyred by Vandals, 429-532 (Eastern)

Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12


Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - Purple/Blue

----- Second Sunday of Advent ----- December 8, 2019 (Year A)
Behold, the Hope of the World
"The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of Christ (Isaiah 11:1-10), who will defend the afflicted and crush the oppressor (Psalm 72:1-7). In light of the Savior's arrival, John the Baptist calls us to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12). We praise God for his marvelous deeds (Psalms 72:18-19). Because of Christ, the root of Jesse, we have hope for the future through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:4-13)."
- Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
This is a season for cultivating an awareness of God’s promises.

Past, present, and future.

Hear the prophets speak.

In Advent, we sharpen our gaze in anticipation.

Christ has come, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Advent Resources
Daily Advent Readings
The Advent Wreath
  • The candles of the Advent Wreath represent the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. This progression symbolizes our own experience waiting. As the candles are lit, despair and the shadows of sin fall away. Each new candle reminds us that something is happening and that more is yet to come.
  • The first candle represents expectation, hope, or prophecy
  • Three candles are purple and one is pink.
  • The pink candle represents joy and is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday
  • The white candle (center) is lit on Christmas Eve and symbolizes the joy of Christ born on Christmas Day.
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings

Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice...



Commentary on Psalm 72
AugustineCalvinSpurgeon,
John Paul II


Audio
Psalm 72, Isaiah 11,
Romans 15, Matthew 3

Spotify Playlist
Psalm 72

Isaiah 11:1-10
A ruler that will bring justice and peace

Romans 15:4-13
Living in harmony

Matthew 3:1-12

Prepare the way of the Lord
 
Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

Bible in a Year
Chronological
Lectionary Resources
"See how great is the wisdom of the Baptist in his preaching? Note how he states his case without compromise, unafraid of alarming his hearers and filling them with anxiety. Yet his very next words are mild, speaking of that which is apt to make them recover. He does not dwell on the axe alone... but also speaks of the remission of sins, the removal of punishment, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, adoption and community, a partaking of the inheritance and an abundant supply of the Holy Spirit. For to all these remedies John implicitly pointed when he said, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” At once, by this very figure of speech, John witnessed to the abundance of grace." -Chrysostom
Collect for the Second Week of Advent 
 
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  
-from The Book of Common Prayer
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Hymn Suggestions for the Second Week of Advent from Hymnary.org 

Singing Scripture: Suggestions for singing the readings for Advent and Christmas 

Hymns related to Psalm 72 from Hymnary.com

CCLI Contemporary Liturgy Song Select 

Dawning Light of Our Salvation | by Wendell Kimbrough & Bruce Benedict | Chords

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

Sleepers Awake (Ephesians 5) | by Brett Crull | Leadsheet

Jesus, Hope of the Nations | by Brian Doerksen | Chord Chart 

Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 72) | by Matt Searles | Leadsheet

Prepare the Way of the Lord | Taize Community

Come Light Our Hearts | by Sandra McCraken | Leadsheet


Savior of the Nations, Come | Leadsheet

Ready the Way | by Curtis Stephan | Leadsheets

Wait for the Lord | Taize Melody | Leadsheet 

Waiting for You | by The Many


Psalm 72 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter Leadsheet

Psalm 72 | Metrical Options


Free Psalm 72 Choral Scores
Music for Listening
Thematic Art 
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