For Sunday, December
15, 2019, Readings:
Isaiah 35:1-10, Canticle 15, The
Song of Mary, Magnificat/Luke 1:46-55; James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly
servant...he has remembered his promise of mercy... [Luke 1:46-48, 54b]
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the
coming of the Lord. Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is near. [James 5:7a, 8b]
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John:
"What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A prophet?...Yes, I tell
you...This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger
ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you'...among those born of women
no one has risen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he." [Matthew 11:7a, 9, 11]
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily,
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
We
light the 3rd candle in the Advent Wreath as our anticipation
and expectation of the birth of Jesus accelerates. However, there's a notable
change. This week, instead of a penitential purple candle or a blue candle of
hope, some Traditions use a rose colored (or pink) candle and perhaps even rose
vestments and hangings. Why change color in the middle of the season? Advent has traditionally been a penitential season, as is Lent, with
somber readings and admonishments to fast and pray to be ready and worthy for
Christ's coming. Yet, historically, the Latin name for this Sunday is Gaudete (gow-day-tay),
which translates as “REJOICE!” It comes from an Introit (opening) of
the Liturgy. We hear the Joy, the Rejoicing, the Hope and the excitement in the
readings. We’ll be ransomed from sorrow and sadness, lifted up, healed,
beloved, and blessed. When our God in Christ comes, we who are redeemed will
walk on the Holy Way, safe from lions and ravenous beasts.
Within the aspect of a strictly
penitential season, all the candles, hangings, and vestments were Lenten
purple, and but on this Sunday, the rose color was a symbol of a respite in the
midst of serious repentance. (There is, apparently, no truth to the rumor that the rose candle
indicates that Mary was secretly hoping for a girl.)
With the Revised Common Lectionary and newer
scholarship, there has been more of an emphasis placed on remembering the Joy that
is to come – which isn’t to say we should not also be prayerful or penitent as
we wait.
So let us, in
the midst of the solemn and sedate, stop, breathe, and experience JOY for
the coming Nativity. Let our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord
and our spirits rejoice. We still have to be patient, there’s still some
time before THE DAY, but we can smile as we wait to walk on that Heavenly Highway
with singing and everlasting joy upon our heads.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy and Almighty God, grant us strength
of heart and prayerful patience as we discover
that the voice in the wilderness is our own. Keep us without fear as we await the
everlasting joy of Christ’s coming.
Lord
of the Holy Way
RESPONSE: Look
with favor upon us
~ Holy and Almighty God, as You
scatter the proud in their conceit, guide the hearts of all who govern on this
Earth, in this Nation, and in our Community, that they may rule with equity,
mercy, and justice. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Lord
of the Holy Way
Look
with favor upon us
~ Holy and Almighty God, lift up all who
suffer with chronic illness, addiction, or severe life circumstance, and energize
all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in
need…
Lord
of the Holy Way
Look
with favor upon us
~ Holy and Almighty God, may the sorrow
and sighs flee away from those who mourn, as Heaven is ablaze in joy and
gladness for the arrival of all we hold so dear. We pray especially for…
Lord
of the Holy Way
Look
with favor upon us
~ Holy and Almighty God, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently…
Lord
of the Holy Way
Look
with favor upon us
~ Holy and Almighty
God, refresh and invigorate those who endeavor in Your Church to prepare us for
the coming of Christ through Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Lord
of the Holy Way
Look
with favor upon us
The Celebrant adds: God
of Glory and Majesty, as we await the Messiah who ransoms us from sin
and death, fill us with rejoicing that our souls may also magnify and proclaim
the greatness of Your love. We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the
Holy Spirit of Truth, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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