Devotional Readings For the Fourth Week in Advent (Dec 19-24th)
Series: Advent Readings 2011
Lake Baldwin Church: The Fourth Week of Advent, 2011
I. Opening Prayer
All: Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. – The Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent from the Book of Common Prayer
II. Scripture Reading
Sunday: Isaiah 40:1-5
Monday: Luke 1:5-7
Tuesday: Luke 1:8-17
Wednesday: Luke 1:18-25
Thursday: Luke 1:57-66
Friday: Luke 1:67-76
Saturday: Luke 1:76-86
III. CHRISTMAS Quote And he not only assumed human nature as far as the body is concerned but also a real human soul, in order that he might be a real human being. For since the soul had been lost as well as the body he had to assume them both to save them both together. Therefore we confess that he "shared the very flesh and blood of children"; that he is "fruit of the loins of David" according to the flesh; "born of the seed of David" according to the flesh; "fruit of the womb of the virgin Mary"; "born of a woman"; "the seed of David"; "a shoot from the root of Jesse"; "the offspring of Judah, "having descended from the Jews according to the flesh; "from the seed of Abraham"-- for he "assumed Abraham's seed" and was "made like his brothers except for sin." In this way he is truly our Immanuel-- that is: "God with us." (Belgic Confession, 1561, Article XVIII)
IV. Carol of the Week “Immanuel (From the Squalor)”
(By Stuart Townend)
1. From the squalor of a borrowed stable
By the Spirit and a virgin's faith
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Savior of the human race
But the skies were filled
With the praise of heav'n
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the gift of God come down to man
At the dawning of Immanuel
2. King of heaven now the friend of sinners
Humble servant in the Father's hands
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit
Filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes He walked my road and He felt my pain
Joys and sorrows that I know so well
Yet His righteous steps give me hope again
I will follow my Immanuel
3. Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal
He was lifted on a cruel cross
He was punished for a world's transgressions
He was suffering to save the lost
He fights for breath He fights for me
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell
And with a shout our souls are free
Death defeated by Immanuel
4. Now He's standing in the place of honor
Crowned with glory on the highest throne
Interceding for His own beloved
'Til His Father calls to bring them home
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell
But the bride will run to her lover's arms
Giving glory to Immanuel
V. Closing Prayer All: Lord Jesus Christ, thou Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, be born again into our world. Wherever there is war in this world, wherever there is pain, wherever there is loneliness, wherever there is no hope, come, thou long-expected one, with healing in thy wings. Holy Child, whom the shepherds and the kings and the dumb beasts adored, be born again. Wherever there is boredom, wherever there is fear of failure, wherever there is temptation too strong to resist, wherever there is bitterness of heart, come, thou blessed one, with healing in thy wings. Amen. –A Prayer from Author Frederick Buechner in The Hungering Dark.