The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
with Commentaries
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Third Sunday of Advent
Joyful Anticipation: Embracing the Promise of Renewal
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126;
with Commentaries
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Third Sunday of Advent
Joyful Anticipation: Embracing the Promise of Renewal
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126;
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 3)
Introduction
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we gather in joyful anticipation, lighting the candle of joy amidst the season's deepening glow. Our hearts and minds turn to the prophetic words of Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, where we hear the resounding promise of liberation and renewal. As the Lord anoints a bringer of good news, we are reminded of our own call to rebuild and restore. In the uplifting verses of Psalm 126, we echo the joy of those who dream of abundance and restoration. The apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, calls us to rejoice always and hold fast to the good, as the spirit of faithfulness sanctifies us completely. And in the Gospel of John 1:6-8, 19-28, we encounter John the Baptist, the faithful witness to the light, preparing the way for the one who is to come. Together, these scriptures weave a tapestry of hope, urging us to embrace the transformative power of God's imminent arrival with joy and steadfastness.
This Is Advent Joy
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
— Luke 2:10, niv
— Luke 2:10, niv
Opening Prayer
(Psalm 126, Isaiah 61)
Heavenly Father, Lord of our Joy and Restoration, as we gather on this Third Sunday of Advent, we recall the joyous restoration of Zion, as recounted in Psalm 126. We were like those who dreamed, our mouths filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy. You, O Lord, have done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. May we who sow in tears, reap with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with us in Your name.
Pour upon us, O God, the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord, as You did in Isaiah's time. Anoint us to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners. We embrace the year of Your favor and the day of Your vengeance, for You comfort all who mourn. Grant us, O Lord, a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. May we be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of Your splendor.
As we await the coming of Your Son, may we rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated in our lives. Through Your love for justice and Your everlasting covenant, may our descendants be known among the nations, and our offspring among the peoples, as those whom the Lord has blessed.
In anticipation, we delight greatly in You, O Lord; our souls rejoice in You. For You have clothed us with garments of salvation and arrayed us in a robe of Your righteousness. As the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so, O Lord, will You cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
(Isaiah 61, John 1:23)
(Isaiah 61, John 1:23)
O Lord, who has anointed us to bring good news to the afflicted, we come before You on this third Sunday of Advent, acknowledging our need for repentance. In the spirit of the prophet Isaiah and the voice crying out in the wilderness, we confess that often we have not bound up the brokenhearted, nor have we proclaimed liberty to the captives in our midst.
In our silence and inaction, we have not echoed the call of John the Baptist to prepare Your way. Instead of making straight paths for Your truth, we have wandered into the wilderness of our own transgressions.
Forgive us, O God, for the moments we have worn a mantle of self-righteousness rather than a garment of praise. Forgive us for the ashes of our own making, when we could have embraced the beauty You offered. Forgive us for accepting despair, instead of the oil of gladness that Your Spirit pours out abundantly.
As we light the third Advent candle, let it kindle in us the flame of Your love, that we may truly embody the role You have given us. Help us to lift up those who are downtrodden, to rebuild the ancient ruins of injustice, and to restore the places long devastated in our hearts and in our communities.
We ask for Your mercy, knowing that You are the one who came to save us, and You are coming again to renew all things. In Your gracious love, forgive what we have been, amend what we are, and direct what we shall be.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
(1 Thessalonians 5)
(1 Thessalonians 5)
Brothers and sisters, as we gather on this Third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of joy and are reminded of the joy that comes from God's unwavering faithfulness. We are called to 'Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.' Even as we strive and often fall short, we find assurance in the promise that 'the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.'
In this season of preparation and anticipation, let us confess our sins, knowing that God is just and merciful. We are forgiven not because of our own deeds but through the grace and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, rejoice and be lifted from the burdens of guilt, for in Christ, our sins are pardoned. In the name of Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen.
As we light the third candle of Advent, the candle of joy, we turn our hearts towards the profound message of Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. In the midst of a season of waiting and anticipation, these verses offer us a glimpse of divine joy and the transformative power of God's grace. This passage, rich with the themes of liberation and restoration, calls us to find joy not only in the fulfillment of God's promises but in the active work of participating in God's redemptive plan for the world.61 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.
Commentary
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 speaks directly to a people in exile, to hearts in captivity, and to lives in need of mending. The prophet Isaiah brings a message of hope and restoration, proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor, a time when all wrongs are made right, and God's mercy is abundantly poured out. The anointed one comes to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. These actions are not only future promises but present realities for those who embrace the Advent of Christ.
In verses 8-11, the focus shifts to the Lord's commitment to justice and righteousness. God's love for justice is not passive; it demands action and integrity. The imagery of a garden causes us to contemplate the nurturing aspect of God's salvation—like seeds that grow into a garden of righteousness that displays His splendor. The passage culminates in a burst of joy, with the prophet envisioning salvation as a robe and righteousness as a garment, illustrating how intimately these divine attributes are to clothe our very being.
As we reflect on these verses during Advent, we are reminded that the work of the Messiah is to transform and renew. We are invited to partake in this joyful restoration, to clothe ourselves with the garments of salvation, and to embody the righteousness that springs up before all nations. In doing so, we not only anticipate the coming of Christ but actively participate in the unfolding of God's kingdom here and now.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 126
The Joy of Restoration
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 126
The Joy of Restoration
Psalm 126 is a song of ascents, a heartfelt expression of joy and hope from the people of Israel reflecting on a time of divine restoration. It stands as a poignant reminder of God's ability to turn sorrow into joy and to rejuvenate His people, much like streams refresh the arid lands of the Negev. As we read these words, we are invited to recall the times when the Lord has restored us, to remember the laughter and joy that come with deliverance, and to renew our faith in God's promise to bring about a harvest of blessings from seeds sown in tears.1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy. *
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, *
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow, *
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Heavenly Father, as we light the candle on this Third Sunday of Advent, our hearts echo the joyous return of Your people to Zion. Just as the desert blooms after the rain, so have You blessed us with Your grace and restoration. With the psalmist, we proclaim, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
In the spirit of this season, we remember those who sow in tears. May they reap with songs of joy. Let those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, return with armfuls of Your blessings, just as the streams in the Negev are filled in the springtime.
As we anticipate the coming of our Savior, renew our strength and fill our mouths with laughter. May our tongues sing of Your righteousness, Your faithfulness, and Your unending love.
Through the trials and the waiting, may we remain steadfast in hope, for the advent of Christ brings with it the promise of Your salvation—a salvation as bountiful as the harvests of old.
We give thanks to You, O God, for the restoration You've promised, for the hope of Advent, and the joy of Your deliverance. In the name of Jesus, our Hope and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
As we light the third candle of our Advent wreath, we are beckoned to reflect upon the theme of joy within our journey of faith. This Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, invites us to rejoice in the Lord always, even as we anticipate His coming. Our scripture today, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, offers a vibrant tapestry of instructions that can light our way as we draw closer to the celebration of the Nativity.5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Commentary
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 presents a concise yet profound checklist for Christian living, especially pertinent during the Advent season. Paul's exhortation to rejoice always (v. 16) is not merely a call to harbor feelings of happiness but an invitation to a state of spiritual joy that transcends circumstances, rooted in the constant presence of Christ.
In verse 17, pray continually," Paul reminds us that our communication with God should be as frequent as our breath—a ceaseless flow that sustains and empowers our spiritual lives. As we approach Christmas, our prayers might be filled with anticipation and hope, mirroring the longing of Israel for the Messiah.
Give thanks in all circumstances (v. 18) challenges us to adopt a posture of gratitude. During Advent, this can translate into a deeper appreciation for the small gestures of love and the grand narrative of redemption that Christ's birth represents.
Verses 19-22 serve as a guide for our spiritual discernment during Advent. We are cautioned not to quench the Spirit or treat prophecies with contempt but rather to test them all and hold on to what is good. As we anticipate the coming of Jesus, we are called to be open to the ways in which the Spirit is moving in our lives, leading us to truth and away from all forms of evil.
Finally, Paul concludes with a beautiful doxology, a prayer for sanctification (vv. 23-24). The Advent season is a time of preparation not just for the celebration of Christ's birth but also for His eventual second coming. Paul assures us that the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it, emphasizing God's active role in our sanctification.
In this season of preparation, may we embrace these divine instructions, cultivating a spirit of joy, a habit of prayer, a heart of gratitude, and a soul attuned to God's sanctifying work within us.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we gather in anticipation and reflection, with hearts turned towards the coming of Christ. Today's scripture takes us to the threshold of a remarkable event, the declaration of John the Baptist, a voice crying out in the wilderness. As we light the third Advent candle, let us prepare our hearts to receive the message of the one who came as a witness to testify concerning the light.1 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Commentary
The Gospel of John introduces us to John the Baptist, a man sent from God, whose sole purpose was to bear witness to the Light that all might believe through him. He was not the Light but came to testify about the Light—the true Light that gives light to everyone. In the passage, the Baptist's identity and mission are interrogated by priests and Levites from Jerusalem. In a profound declaration of humility and purpose, he denies being the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet, instead embracing his role as the one Isaiah prophesied about, the voice calling in the wilderness to make straight the way for the Lord.
As we delve into this passage on the Third Sunday of Advent, we are invited to contemplate our own roles in preparing for the coming of Christ. John's testimony is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of witnessing to the truth. He stands as a beacon, calling us to prepare the way in our lives for the Lord. This preparation is not just a physical one, but a spiritual journey of aligning our actions, thoughts, and hearts with the message of Christ.
In the Advent season, we are called to be witnesses of the Light, to live in such a way that our lives point beyond ourselves to Christ. The humility of John the Baptist challenges us to consider our own sense of self and purpose. As we move closer to Christmas, let us seek to clear the paths in our wilderness, to flatten the hills of our pride, and to straighten the crooked ways of our indifference. May we, like John, become voices in our wilderness, heralding the coming of Christ into our world and into our hearts.
Here end the Readings
Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed
- We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
- And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.
- And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that 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, for ever and ever. Amen.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
A nondenominational serving of bread and wine
Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.
Communion Prayer
(Philippians 2)
(Philippians 2)
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the life and love of Christ, that we may be the body of Christ for the world, redeemed and unified by Christ’s love and grace. By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with one another, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at your heavenly banquet. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forevermore. Amen.
Benediction
(Isaiah 61, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5)
(Isaiah 61, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5)
May the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord be upon you, anointing you to proclaim good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners.
As you have been sent to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, may you also rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; may you renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Just as the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy, may you too sow in tears to reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit, do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
Joy is not an Ornament
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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, December 17, 2023
Third Sunday of Advent
Joyful Anticipation: Embracing the Promise of Renewal
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we gather in joyful anticipation, lighting the candle of joy amidst the season's deepening glow. Our hearts and minds turn to the prophetic words of Isaiah, where we hear the resounding promise of liberation and renewal. As the Lord anoints a bringer of good news, we are reminded of our own call to rebuild and restore. In the uplifting verses of Psalm 126, we echo the joy of those who dream of abundance and restoration. The apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians, calls us to rejoice always and hold fast to the good, as the spirit of faithfulness sanctifies us completely. And in the Gospel of John, we encounter John the Baptist, the faithful witness to the light, preparing the way for the one who is to come. Together, these scriptures weave a tapestry of hope, urging us to embrace the transformative power of God's imminent arrival with joy and steadfastness.
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