“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Entrance Antiphon:
The Lord and Ruler will be coming soon, and his name will be called Emmanuel, because he will be God-with-us.
Collect:
Hear in kindness, O Lord,
the prayers of your people,
that those who rejoice
at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh
may, when at last he comes in glory,
gain the reward of eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Daily Meditation:
“She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.” Mt. 1
On this last Sunday of Advent,
just a few days 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.
Therefore the LORD himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel. Is. 7
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.” Mt. 1
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 DAWN OF THE EAST,
brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice;
Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
Closing Prayer:
Oh, Jesus who descended from Jesse,
you are a sign of God’s love.
I feel hopeful and expectant,
filled with a rebirth of joy and love.
I depend you so much.
You are a rock for my belief
and a sign of God’s love.
Fill me with your praise!
I want to sing your glory,
filled with joy
for the message of hope you send.
I don’t always understand
when you are acting on my behalf.
Thank you for the message of hope you send me.
Give me true faith and love
as I celebrate the mystery
of how you came to be with us.
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.