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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.

Collect:
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by his Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. *

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:

Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem dwell secure.
We begin Advent coming to the Lord who promises to keep us safe. In awe we say:

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul!”
Psalm 25

Let's begin this week with a deeply felt prayer.
Even if we don't know exactly what we need or long for,
today, let's try to express our desire for God's help and assistance.

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah.   Jeremiah 33

He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
Psalm 25

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.

O OUR KING AND GIVER OF LAW,

Come to save us, Lord our God!

Closing Prayer:

Oh, Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.

Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart
which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.

I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth
and I want to follow you in caring for others.
Grant me the grace to see
how you shine your light on the poor
who have such a special place in your heart.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!

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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December 23
Daily Advent Prayer

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

 

Entrance Antiphon

A child shall be born for us,
and he will be called God, the Almighty;
every tribe of the earth shall be blest in him.

Collect:
Almighty ever-living God,
as we see how the Nativity of your Son
according to the flesh draws near,
we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,
mercy may flow from your Word,
who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary
and establish among us his dwelling,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. *

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "John "
     and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
     and he spoke blessing God.
When Zechariah could say "John," that is, "God is Gracious,"
he was freed to give thanks and praise to God.

Let's each of us express our gratitude to our God
for coming to be with us, for forgiving our sins,
for saving us from the power of death.
Let's ask that we might be purified of all self-love
that we might receive his coming to us this week.

But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner's fire,
or like the fuller's lye.  Mal. 3

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
To God our Father who sent his Son to save mankind:
Show us your mercy, Lord.

Father most merciful, we confess our faith in your Christ with our words,
- keep us from denying him in our actions

You have sent your Son to rescue us,
- remove every sorrow from the face of the earth and from our country.

Our land looks forward with delight at the approach of your Son,
- let it experience the fullness of your joy.

Through your mercy make us live holy and chaste lives in this world,
-eagerly awaiting the blessed hope and coming of Christ in glory.

O EMMANUEL,

God with us,
Our King and Lawgiver,
the expected of the nations and their Saviour:
Come to save us, O Lord our God

Closing Prayer:
Oh, Emmanuel,
"God-with-Us,"
You have touched me;
you are God-with-Me.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.

Refine and purify my heart
with the hottest flame of your love.
Give me the courage of your prophets
and let me do what is right
even when others don't understand.

Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!

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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December 24
Daily Advent Prayer 

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

Collect:
Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus,
and do not delay,
that those who trust in your compassion
may find solace and relief in your coming.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. *

Today's Readings

Daily Meditation:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
"temple of God's Word"
because she was so ready to do God's will.
As we approach this anniversary of our redemption,
let's spend the day placing our life in God's hands
embracing the ways he will come to us
and let us be his instruments for others.

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
To Christ our Lord, the light of the world , let us cry
    with joy:
    Come Lord Jesus! 

Dispel our darkness with the light of your presence,
- and make us worthy of your gifts.

Save us, Lord our God,
- that we may praise your holy name this day.

Enkindle in our hearts the flame of your love,
- and make us long to be united with you.

You bore our infirmity,
-aid the sick and those who are to die this day.

Closing Prayer:

Oh, God-With-Us,
For so long you have promised
forgiveness, peace, salvation.
Now in my heart, I am filled with joy
because of your coming.

Thank you for your promises and for the way I can trust in you.
I feel a new freedom in my life
and a courage I have not known before.

I know you came to save me and bring new life
and I am so grateful to you.
Let me show my thankfulness
with my life.
You have brought me through the darkness
and into the light of your saving grace.

Guide my feet on the way of peace.

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.