3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 2025
INTRODUCTION
A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the
desert shall rejoice and blossom, and Jesus points to the unexpected and
transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the
Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy
supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and
love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s
advent among us.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your
coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING
ISAIAH 35:1-10
The prophet describes the return from the Babylonian captivity as a joyous
procession to Zion. God’s coming reign will bring a renewal of creation in which
health and wholeness will be restored. There is no need for fear, for God is coming to save.
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.]]
3 Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be opened;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp;
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
PSALM
PSALM 146:5-10
(Response) The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)
5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help,
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
6 who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;
who keeps promises forever;
7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.
The Lord sets the captive free.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
(Response) The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)
9 The Lord cares for the stranger;
the Lord sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord shall reign forever,
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
(Response) The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)
SECOND READING
JAMES 5:7-10
In anticipation of the Lord’s coming, Christians are called upon to cultivate
patience rather than discontent.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The
farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it
receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your
hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not grumble
against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing
at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. I am sending my messenger before you,
who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia. (Matt. 11:10)
GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 11:2-11
John the Baptist expects the Messiah to bring God’s judgment upon the earth
(Matt. 3:11-12). From a prison cell, he wonders whether Jesus is the one who will
do this. Jesus’ response indicates that God’s reign is indeed being fulfilled
already through healing and restoration.
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his
disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for
another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news
brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did
you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What,
then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who
wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A
prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 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.’
11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than
John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
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