Luke 1:26-38 – God’s promise to Mary

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Matthew 3:1-6 – John the Baptist

Almighty God,

we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith

with all who have been baptised into your name.

Keep us faithful to our baptism,

and so make us ready for that day

when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(From the Baptism Service)

Deuteronomy 5:1-32 – Moses and the Law

God of Moses and Aaron,

you gave the law to your servant Moses

and fulfilled the same in your Son.

Write your law on our hearts

and make us more than hearers of your law

that we may delight in your commands

and rejoice in your Word, made flesh in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

1 Kings 3:3 – 14: God’s Creative Wisdom

Almighty God,

you kindled the light of your Spirit

in the hearts of your faithful people;

may we by the same Spirit

have a right judgement in all things,

and evermore rejoice in your love and power;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

(CW Collect of Pentecost)

Isaiah 11:1-5 – The Stock of Jesse

God of Jesse and Father of our Saviour Jesus,

give us wisdom to perceive you,

diligence to seek you,

patience to wait for you,

eyes to behold you,

a heart to meditate upon you

through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer attributed to St Benedict)

Weekly News -20th December

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

cfEcclesiasticus 24.3; Wisdom 8.1

Isaiah 35:1-10 – God’s promise through the prophets

My God,

may I so know you and love you

that I may rejoice in you.

And if I may not do so fully in this life

let me go steadily on to the day

when I come to that fullness.

May I receive what you have promised

through your truth,

that my joy may be full.

Amen.

(A Prayer of Anselm)

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 – Habakkuk’s Complaint – and God’s reply

O Lord our God,

make us watchful and keep us faithful

as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;

that, when he shall appear,

he may not find us sleeping

but active in his service

and joyful in his praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Post Communion 1st Sunday of Advent CW)