Judges 13: 2-7 and 24- end
Psalm 71: 3-8
Luke 1: 5-25
Judges 13: 2-7 and 24- end
Psalm 71: 3-8
Luke 1: 5-25
Jeremiah 23: 5-8
Psalm 72: 1-2, 12-13 and 18-end
Matthew 1: 18-24
Genesis 49: 2 and 8-10
Psalm 72: 1-5 and 18-19
Matthew 1: 1-17
Isaiah 45: 6b-8 and 18: 21b-end
Psalm 85: 7-end
Luke 7: 18b-23
Zephaniah 3: 1-2 and 9-13
Psalm 34: 1-6 and 21-22
Matthew 21: 28-32
Numbers 24: 2-7 and 15-17
Psalm 25: 3-8
Matthew 21: 23-27
Bible Readings:
Key Bible Reading:
If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:
For John 21:15-22: John 21:15-22 NIVUK – Jesus reinstates Peter – When they had – Bible Gateway
Set Readings for today (Third Sunday of Advent):
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-end – One of the most “hope filled” and beautiful passages not just of the Old Testament but of the whole Bible. The chapter begins with words that have become famous because they are quoted word for word by Jesus Himself as the passage of Scripture He chose from the whole of the Old Testament when He was asked to read at the Synagogue in Nazareth. Not only does it speak a message of God bringing about new life and hope – like summer following winter, it is particularly important to note it is God’s Messiah who will bring this about. When Jesus then quotes it what is He then saying about Himself when He says, famously, “today, in your hearing these words have been fulfilled.” (Luke 4:14-30)
1Thessalonians 5:16-24 – Paul is writing his closing comments to his first letter to the little Church in Thessalonica. What is striking is not just that he asks the congregation to remain faithful against all the odds, it’s the fact that he goes on to say, “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.” Its wonderful to think, not just in Paul’s day, but also in ours, and in every day, God and Jesus remain faithful to their calling, even when perhaps we fall short. They are always 24/7 every day, every year, committed to saving and redeeming love. Perhaps our own faithfulness would have been better encouraged if greater attention had been drawn to such faithfulness rather than some of the fear tactics and the “hell fire and damnation” preaching that has been spoken by ministers and others instead, however well intentioned.
John 1:6-8, 19-28 – The introduction by John the Gospel author of the great character John the Baptist, the one Christians see as both cousin and forerunner to Jesus. Interestingly, in Jewish history at the time John was seen as an even bigger deal than Jesus. Josephus, the first century historian devotes a whole chapter to John and his message whereas he devotes only half a page to Jesus of Nazareth. Partly, this is because John stood far more starkly as a ‘political’ threat to the establishment, offering an alterative path in open condemnation of the Temple and the Temple authorities, drawing people to believe and hope for an interjection by God Himself to bring His Messiah, in other words a new King to Israel.
Of course, when Jesus comes to fulfil all that John had spoken of, He was to do this in a way Josephus and the rulers of this world did not understand, and have not understood, ever since. And yet, the ‘Jesus way’ has had the power to call to account and to challenge the power dynamic and status quo of our world more than anything else in the whole of history. There is a wonderful Chinese saying, “what changes rock most? Not other rock. No, water. It’s just that it takes a very long time.”
Come Lord Jesus and build a new world in our day as we emerge from the painful and very difficult time.
Hymns and Songs for Third Sunday for Advent:
Traditional:
Modern:
On the theme of Advent Joy:
In case you were wondering what the Lyrics meant:
Gaudete, Gaudete! |
Rejoice, Rejoice! |
Tempus ad est gratiae, |
It is now the time of grace |
Deus homo factus est, |
God was made man, |
Ezechiellis porta |
The closed gate of Ezekiel |
Ergo nostra cantio, |
Therefore let our assembly now sing, |
Amazing and beautiful lyrics so apt for this time too. Thank you Kirsty for sending these across.
Videos/DVD:
“The Chosen” can be obtained for free, either via YouTube (simply type in “The Chosen” or via an App, which can be downloaded to your Smartphone or Tablet.
Its all very exciting. Details of how to find Episode 1 on YouTube: (92) The Chosen: Complete Episode One – YouTube
Isaiah 61: 1-4 and 8-end
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
John 1: 6-8 and 19-28
Ecclesiasticus 48: 1-4 and 9-11
Psalm 80: 1-4 and 18-19
Matthew 17: 10-13
Isaiah 48: 17-19
Psalm 1
Matthew 11: 16-19