November 7

Readings and Psalm
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
 
 6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
  a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
  of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
 7And he will destroy on this mountain
  the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
  the sheet that is spread over all nations;
  8he will swallow up death forever.
 Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
  and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
  for the Lord has spoken.
 9It will be said on that day,
  Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
  This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.


First Reading (alternate): Wisdom 3:1-9
 
 1The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
 and no torment will ever touch them.
 2In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
 and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
 3and their going from us to be their destruction;
 but they are at peace.
 4For though in the sight of others they were punished,
 their hope is full of immortality.
 5Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
 because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
 6like gold in the furnace he tried them,
 and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
 7In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
 and will run like sparks through the stubble.
 8They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
 and the Lord will reign over them forever.
 9Those who trust in him will understand truth,
 and the faithful will abide with him in love,
 because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
 and he watches over his elect.


Psalm: Psalm 24
 
 
 1The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
  the world and those who dwell therein.
 2For the Lord has founded it upon the seas
  and established it upon the rivers. 
 3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord,
  and who may stand in God’s holy place?
 4Those of innocent hands and purity of heart,
  who do not swear on God’s being, nor do they pledge by what is false.
 5They shall receive blessing from the Lord
  and righteousness from the God of their salvation.
 6Such is the generation of those who seek you, O Lord,
  of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob. 
 7Lift up your heads, O gates; and be lifted up, O everlasting doors,
  that the King of glory may come in.
 8Who is this King of glory?
  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
 9Lift up your heads, O gates; and be lifted up, O everlasting doors,
  that the King of glory may come in.
 10Who is this King of glory?
  Truly, the Lord of hosts is the King of glory. 


Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
 
1I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
 “See, the home of God is among mortals.
 He will dwell with them;
 they will be his peoples,
 and God himself will be with them;
 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
 Death will be no more;
 mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
 for the first things have passed away.”
  5And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6aThen he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.”


Gospel: John 11:32-44
 
32When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus began to weep. 36So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

  38Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

 
November 14
 
Readings and Psalm
Semicontinuous First Reading and Psalm
  • 1 Samuel 1:4-20 - Hannah’s prayers for a child answered
  • 1 Samuel 2:1-10 - My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. (1 Sa. 2:1)

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
 
1“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”


Psalm: Psalm 16
 
 1Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
  I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
 2All my delight is in the godly that are in the land,
  upon those who are noble among the people.
 3But those who run after other gods
  shall have their troubles multiplied.
 4I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,
  never take their names upon my lips. 
 5O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
  it is you who uphold my lot.
 6My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
  indeed, I have a rich inheritance.
 7I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
  my heart teaches me night after night.
 8I have set the Lord always before me;
  because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 
 9My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
  my body also shall rest in hope.
 10For you will not abandon me to the grave,
  nor let your holy one see the pit.
 11You will show me the path of life;
  in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 


Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25
 
11Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” 13and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them
  after those days, says the Lord:
 I will put my laws in their hearts,
  and I will write them on their minds,”
17he also adds,
 “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]
  19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Gospel: Mark 13:1-8
 
1As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
  3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”

Semicontinuous First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:4-20
 
4On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; 5but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
  9After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”
  12As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” 15But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” 17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” 18And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.
  19They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

Semicontinuous Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1-10
 
 1My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God.
  My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.
 2There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you;
  there is no Rock like our God.
 3Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;
  for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by the Lord actions are weighed.
 4The bows of the mighty are broken,
  but the feeble gird on strength. 
 5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
 The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
 6The Lord kills and brings to life;
  the Lord brings down to Sheol and raises up.
 7The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
  brings low, and also exalts.
 8The Lord raises up the poor from the dust; lifting the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
  For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them God has set the world. 
 9You, Lord, will guard the feet of your faithful ones,
  but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail.
 10The Lord’s adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven.
  O Lord, you will judge the ends of the earth; you will give strength to your king, and exalt the power of your anointed. 

 
November 21
 
Readings and Psalm
Semicontinuous First Reading and Psalm

First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
 
 9As I watched,
 thrones were set in place,
  and an Ancient One took his throne,
 his clothing was white as snow,
  and the hair of his head like pure wool;
 his throne was fiery flames,
  and its wheels were burning fire.
 10A stream of fire issued
  and flowed out from his presence.
 A thousand thousands served him,
  and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.
 The court sat in judgment,
  and the books were opened.
13As I watched in the night visions,
 I saw one like a human being
  coming with the clouds of heaven.
 And he came to the Ancient One
  and was presented before him.
 14To him was given dominion
  and glory and kingship,
 that all peoples, nations, and languages
  should serve him.
 His dominion is an everlasting dominion
  that shall not pass away,
 and his kingship is one
  that shall never be destroyed.


Psalm: Psalm 93
 
 1The Lord is king, robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength.
  The Lord has made the world so sure that it cannot be moved.
 2Ever since the world began, your throne has been established;
  you are from everlasting. 
 3The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their voice;
  the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
 4Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea,
  mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
 5Your testimonies are very sure,
  and holiness befits your house, O Lord, forever and forevermore. 

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8
 
4bGrace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
  To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 7Look! He is coming with the clouds;
  every eye will see him,
 even those who pierced him;
  and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
  8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.


Gospel: John 18:33-37
 
33Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Semicontinuous First Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-7
 
1Now these are the last words of David:
 The oracle of David, son of Jesse,
  the oracle of the man whom God exalted,
 the anointed of the God of Jacob,
  the favorite of the Strong One of Israel:
 2The spirit of the Lord speaks through me,
  his word is upon my tongue.
 3The God of Israel has spoken,
  the Rock of Israel has said to me:
 One who rules over people justly,
  ruling in the fear of God,
 4is like the light of morning,
  like the sun rising on a cloudless morning,
  gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.
 5Is not my house like this with God?
  For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,
  ordered in all things and secure.
 Will he not cause to prosper
  all my help and my desire?
 6But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away;
  for they cannot be picked up with the hand;
 7to touch them one uses an iron bar
  or the shaft of a spear.
  And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.

Semicontinuous Psalm: Psalm 132:1-12 [13-18]
 
 1Lord, remember David,
  and all the hardships he endured;
 2how he swore an oath to the Lord
  and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
 3“I will not come under the roof of my house,
  nor climb up into my bed;
 4I will not allow my eyes to sleep,
  nor let my eyelids slumber;
 5until I find a place for the Lord,
  a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
 6“The ark! We heard it was in Ephrathah;
  we found it in the fields of Ja’ar.
 7Let us go to God’s dwelling-place;
  let us fall upon our knees before God’s footstool.”
 8Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place,
  you and the ark of your strength.
 9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;
  let your faithful people sing with joy.
 10For your servant David’s sake,
  do not turn away the face of your anointed. 
 11The Lord has sworn an oath to David, and in truth, will not break it:
  “A son, the fruit of your body, will I set upon your throne.
 12If your children keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
  their children will sit upon your throne forevermore.” 
[ 13For the Lord has chosen Zion,
  desiring Jerusalem for a habitation:
 14“This shall be my resting-place forever;
  here will I dwell, for I delight in Zion.
 15I will surely bless the city’s provisions,
  and satisfy the poor with bread.
 16I will clothe the priests with salvation,
  and the faithful in Zion will rejoice and sing.
 17There will I make the horn of David flourish;
  I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
 18As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame;
  but as for him, his crown will shine.” 
 

November 28
 
Readings and Psalm
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
 
14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”


Psalm: Psalm 25:1-10
 
 1To you, O Lord,
  I lift up my soul.
 2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame,
  nor let my enemies triumph over me.
 3Let none who look to you be put to shame;
  rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
 4Show me your ways, O Lord,
  and teach me your paths. 
 5Lead me in your truth and teach me,
  for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
 6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
  for they are from everlasting. 
 7Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;
  remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
 8You are gracious and upright, O Lord;
  therefore you teach sinners in your way.
 9You lead the lowly in justice
  and teach the lowly your way.
 10All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness
  to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies. 


Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
 
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
  11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
 
[Jesus said:] 25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
  29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
  34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
 
December 5

Readings and Psalm
  • Malachi 3:1-4 - My messenger is a refiner and purifier
  • Baruch 5:1-9 (alternate) - The return of scattered Israel
  • Luke 1:68-79 - In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us. (Lk. 1:78)
  • Philippians 1:3-11 - A harvest of righteousness on the day of Jesus Christ
  • Luke 3:1-6 - Prepare the way of the Lord

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
 
1See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
  For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

First Reading (alternate): Baruch 5:1-9
 
 1Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
  and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
 2Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;
  put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
 3for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
 4For God will give you evermore the name,
  “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.”
 5Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
  look toward the east,
 and see your children gathered from west and east
  at the word of the Holy One,
  rejoicing that God has remembered them.
 6For they went out from you on foot,
  led away by their enemies;
 but God will bring them back to you,
  carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
 7For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low
  and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,
  so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
 8The woods and every fragrant tree
  have shaded Israel at God’s command.
 9For God will lead Israel with joy,
  in the light of his glory,
  with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.


Psalm: Luke 1:68-79
 
 68Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel,
  you have come to your people and set them free.
 69You have raised up for us a mighty Savior,
  born of the house of your servant David. 
 70Through your holy prophets, you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
  71from the hands of all who hate us,
 72to show mercy to our forebears,
  and to remember your holy covenant.
 73This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham:
  74to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
 free to worship you without fear,
  75holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life. 
 76And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
  for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
 77to give God’s people knowledge of salvation
  by the forgiveness of their sins.
 78In the tender compassion of our God
  the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
 79to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death,
  and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 


Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11
 
3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.


Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
 
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
 ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
  make his paths straight.
 5Every valley shall be filled,
  and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
 and the crooked shall be made straight,
  and the rough ways made smooth;
 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”


December 12

Readings and Psalm
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20
 
 14Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
  shout, O Israel!
 Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
  O daughter Jerusalem!
 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
  he has turned away your enemies.
 The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
  you shall fear disaster no more.
 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
 Do not fear, O Zion;
  do not let your hands grow weak.
 17The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
  a warrior who gives victory;
 he will rejoice over you with gladness,
  he will renew you in his love;
 he will exult over you with loud singing
  18as on a day of festival.
 I will remove disaster from you,
  so that you will not bear reproach for it.
 19I will deal with all your oppressors
  at that time.
 And I will save the lame
  and gather the outcast,
 and I will change their shame into praise
  and renown in all the earth.
 20At that time I will bring you home,
  at the time when I gather you;
 for I will make you renowned and praised
  among all the peoples of the earth,
 when I restore your fortunes
  before your eyes, says the Lord.


Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6
  
 2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,
  for the Lord God is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation.
 3With joy you will draw water
  from the wells of salvation. 
 4And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name;
  make known the deeds of the Lord among the nations; proclaim that this name is exalted.
 5Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
  let this be known in all the earth.
 6Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
  for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. 

Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
 
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
 
7John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
  10And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
  15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
  18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
 
December 19

Readings and Psalms
First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a
 
 2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
  who are one of the little clans of Judah,
 from you shall come forth for me
  one who is to rule in Israel,
 whose origin is from of old,
  from ancient days.
 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time
  when she who is in labor has brought forth;
 then the rest of his kindred shall return
  to the people of Israel.
 4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
  in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
 And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
  to the ends of the earth;
 5aand he shall be the one of peace.


Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55
 
  46bMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  47my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
  From this day all generations will call me blessed:
 49you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
  and holy is your name.
 50You have mercy on those who fear you,
  from generation to generation. 
 51You have shown strength with your arm
  and scattered the proud in their conceit,
 52casting down the mighty from their thrones
  and lifting up the lowly.
 53You have filled the hungry with good things
  and sent the rich away empty.
 54You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,
  to remember the promise of mercy,
 55the promise made to our forebears,
  to Abraham and his children forever. 

Psalm (alternate): Psalm 80:1-7
 
  1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
  shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
 2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin,  and Manasseh,
  stir up your strength and come to help us. 
 3Restore us, O God;
  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
 4O Lord God of hosts,
  how long will your anger fume when your people pray?
 5You have fed them with the bread of tears;
  you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
 6You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
  and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
 7Restore us, O God of hosts;
  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. 


Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
 
5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
 “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
  but a body you have prepared for me;
 6in burnt offerings and sin offerings
  you have taken no pleasure.
 7Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’
  (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]
 
39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” [
  46And Mary said,
 “My soul magnifies the Lord,
  47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
  Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
  and holy is his name.
 50His mercy is for those who fear him
  from generation to generation.
 51He has shown strength with his arm;
  he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
  and lifted up the lowly;
 53he has filled the hungry with good things,
  and sent the rich away empty.
 54He has helped his servant Israel,
  in remembrance of his mercy,
 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
  to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
]
 
December 26
 
Readings and Psalm
  • 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 - The boy Samuel grew in favor with the Lord and the people
  • Psalm 148 - The splendor of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
  • Colossians 3:12-17 - Clothe yourselves in love; let the peace of Christ rule your hearts
  • Luke 2:41-52 - The boy Jesus increased in wisdom, and in divine and human favor

First Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
 
18Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord”; and then they would return to their home.
  26Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.


Psalm: Psalm 148
 
 1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
  praise God in the heights.
 2Praise the Lord, all you angels;
  sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.
 3Praise the Lord, sun and moon;
  sing praise, all you shining stars.
 4Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens,
  and you waters above the heavens.
 5Let them praise the name of the Lord,
  who commanded, and they were created,
 6who made them stand fast forever and ever,
  giving them a law that shall not pass away. 
 7Praise the Lord from the earth,
  you sea monsters and all deeps;
 8fire and hail,  snow and fog,
  tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
 9mountains and all hills,
  fruit trees and all cedars;
 10wild beasts and all cattle,
  creeping things and flying birds;
 11sovereigns of the earth and all peoples,
  princes and all rulers of the world;
 12young men and maidens,
  old and young together. 
 13Let them praise the name of the Lord,
  whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.
 14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,
  the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord.  Hallelujah! 


Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
 
12As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
 
41Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand what he said to them. 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
  52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.