Fourth Sunday of Advent
Daily Advent Prayer

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Entrance Antiphon:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray
   as Advent draws to a close, that Christ will truly come into our hearts.

Lord,
fill our hearts with your love,
and as you revealed to us by an angel
the coming of your Son as man,
so lead us through his suffering and death
to the glory of his resurrection,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray,
    as Advent draws to a close for the faith that opens our lives to the spirit of God.

Father, all-powerful God,
your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life
at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit
who prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen
Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
"For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
     the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  
     Blessed are you who believed
     that what was spoken to you by the Lord
     would be fulfilled." Lk 1

On this last Sunday of Advent, just before Christmas, we quietly reflect on the mystery.
We rest in awe, in wonder, at how our God entered our world and came to be with us.
We pause to receive the gift offered us:
that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and
that Jesus will really come into our hearts.

May we have watchful hope today,
believing what the Lord promises us.
Let us pray today, that we might be God's servants,
that we might be instruments of God's love
for our families and all we serve this week.

...Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,,
     cried out in a loud voice and said,
     "Blessed are you among women
       and blessed is the fruit of your womb."  Lk. 1

Lord, make us turn to you;
     let us see your face and be saved.  Ps. 80

... from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel;
    whose origin is from ancient times.  Micah 5

 

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
To the Lord, Jesus Christ, judge of the living and the dead,
let us pray:
Come, Lord Jesus!

Lord Jesus, you came to save sinners,
- protect us in times of temptation.

You will come in glory to be our judge,
- show in us your power to save.

Help us to keep the precepts of your law with strength of Spirit,
- and to look forward in love to your coming.

You are praised throughout the ages;
in your mercy help us to live devoutly and temperately in this life,
- as we wait in joyful hope for the revelation of your glory.

Closing Prayer:
Oh, Lord of light,
you are like a radiant dawn of light
in my life.
I feel myself drawn in
as one of 'your people'
and I delight in being yours.

Your presence in my life
gives me a heady joy
as if I am falling in love.
I feel you inviting me to be with you
and telling me the hard times are past.
Let's begin Rejoicing!

Thank you for hearing my prayers.
I wait in joyful hope
to celebrate the birth
and my soul feels like it is singing a song
trusting in your love for me.

Thank you for your faithfulness.
Please help me to fulfill your will.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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