Second Sunday of Advent

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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 8, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: Isaiah 12:1-6
Psalm: 50
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

ADORATION
Almighty God, I give You praise because You are my salvation. When I put my trust in You, I am no longer afraid. When I return to You, Your anger quickly turns into my comfort, and Your strength becomes my healing. With joy, I draw water from the infinite wells of Your knowledge and compassion. I sing praises to You, I proclaim that Your Name is exalted, and that You work gloriously in me, and in all Your creatures who call on Your Name for guidance and direction. You amend my life, thereby making known Your power to others. You are the Holy One who is in my midst, humbling my heart and clearing my mind, and so I shout aloud and sing for Your joy in Your Presence.

CONFESSION
Loving Father, within my heart You reveal Yourself perfect in beauty and glory. Every day, You call me to judgment, testing my heart and my mind. You bear witness against me, not because I slack in my devotion to You, but because I refuse Your discipline and ignore Your Word. I confess that not only do I steal, cheat, gossip, lie, complain and slander, but I also show my approval of these whenever I participate in others’ similar behavior. You keep still, that I may change my ways, but I deceive myself in thinking You are like me. You make Your accusation, and I stand guilty before You. I forget You, I do not keep in Your way as I should, and so I do not deserve to be delivered and saved.

THANKSGIVING
Holy Spirit, I thank You because now I feel like I am truly alive, even as I continue to stand firm in faith by Your grace. How can I thank You enough in return for all the joy I feel? I will lift up the cup of salvation, offer You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon Your Name. It is Your will that I see You one day face to face, and so I rejoice that Christ Himself directs my way back to the Father. I thank You for restoring what I lack in my imperfect faith, for making me to increase in spiritual prosperity, and to abound in love and blessing. You strengthen my heart in holiness, and You keep me blameless before the Father, at the coming of the Son, with all who have been sanctified in Your love.

SUPPLICATION
Lord Jesus Christ, You taught Your followers the signs of the end times. I pray that I may not set my heart on the apparent stability of this material and consumerist culture, for the precious jewels I prize today will become stones that are thrown away tomorrow. May I not be led astray by the many voices that claim to have You, or to be You, for I have You already in my heart. May I not fear international conflicts or natural disasters, famine or plague, persecution or betrayal, for You are always with me, and You promise to give me words to speak and wisdom to act. Teach me the value of endurance so that I may gain my soul, and the virtue of patience so that I may wait for Your coming.

HYMN
Lo! the Lamb, so long expected
Comes with pardon down from heaven.
Let us haste with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;

So when next he comes with glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
May he with his mercy shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

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