The Sunday Lectionary Readings
Sunday, December 18, 2022 — Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
REJOICE!
Opening Statement
We are almost to Christmas. We have been rushing around trying to get everything done for the “Big Day.” But our scriptures remind us that God is already preparing us to receive the glorious gift; God is placing a spirit of joy and faith in our hearts. In the simplest of ways, God has provided for our salvation. This is a time for happiness and joy. God is with us!
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear the prophet foretell of Emmanuel, we see Joseph’s dream of Emmanuel, we hear the psalmist’s longing for a savior, and we hear Paul’s affirmation of a savior. On this Sunday before Christmas, we speak of God with us—in yearning, in promise, in certainty. It is an “almost … not yet … ah, it’s here” time. Can we be open to the surprise of wonder a child of promise brings us this year?
Fourth Sunday in Advent - Love
Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season.
As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
Magnify your love within us.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Lord of all life and all seasons, help us open our hearts to hear the words of promise and love that you send to us. Like Joseph, may we trust in your abiding love and power. Prepare us to receive your gift of grace and peace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)
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.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we confess that we are rushing headlong into Christmas. It’s only two days away and we still have so much to do. Our preparations are far from complete, and we are exhausted. We wish this whole thing were over so that we could rest. Forgive our shortcomings and our short-sightedness. You have poured upon us blessing after blessing, daily reminding us of your love and presence; yet we have chosen to jump onto this “greased slide” into Christmas. Give us patience. Slow us down. Remind us of the ways in which you are present with us—not in the wrapped packages, the abundance of food, but in the love and compassion that is brought to all. Forgive us, we pray. Make us truly ready to receive your love and the gift of the Christ Child.
Words of Assurance (Isaiah 7, Matthew 1)
God comes to us in dreams and visions, in prophecies and affirmations, in longing and in hope, in salvation through a little child. Claim this promise for yourself, and let God's healing love fill you.
Prayer of the Day
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading
(The Sign of Immanuel)
Isaiah Gives Ahaz the Sign of Immanuel
7:10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13 Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Qui regis Israel
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Qui regis Israel
Leader: Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
People: shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
Leader: In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
People: stir up your strength and come to help us.
Leader: Restore us, O God of hosts;
People: show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Leader: O LORD God of hosts,
People: how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
Leader: You have fed them with the bread of tears;
People: you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
Leader: You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
People: and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Leader: Restore us, O God of hosts;
People: show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Leader: And so will we never turn away from you;
People: give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
Leader: Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
People: show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Heavenly Father, we live in troubling times, and we do not know what tomorrow will bring. You have told us not to worry, but to live one day at a time. You have told us to trust in You as we pray for our daily needs. Even so, You showed Joseph how to prepare and save for the future, so we pray that You would show us what to do as well. Increase our faith in Jesus Christ and the future He has promised, even as we pray in His name:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
Second Reading
Salutation
1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel. Alleluia. (Matt. 1:23)
The Gospel
(The Birth of Jesus the Messiah)
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
1:18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Here ends the Lessons
Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Depart in peace, and take with you the certain knowledge
That God is always coming into the world.
We will seek God, not in a long ago stable or ancient manger,
But in the people we meet and the depths of our own hearts.
May the blessing of Christmas make you a blessing to others;
May the peace of the season pervade all that you do.
We will welcome the challenge of discipleship.
We will offer ourselves as God’s ministers.
We will go forth in hope, peace, joy, and love.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, December 18, 2022
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
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