Fourth Sunday of Advent
**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced
to give appropriate credit.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
Introduction to the Day
Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of
Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and Mary’s
magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no
uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always
lives as when in holy communion – with high delight – “we proclaim the Lord’s
death.”
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Let us pray.
We praise you, O God, for this circle of light that marks our days of
preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, kindle
within us the fire of your Spirit, that we may be light shining in the
darkness.
Enlighten us with your grace, that we may welcome others as you have
welcomed us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose
day draws near.
Amen.
Light four candles
Candle Lighting Carol: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (ELW #257)
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who alone does wonders, who lifts up the lowly,
who fills the hungry with good things.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the tender mercy of our God.
God for whom we wait,
in the presence of one another, we confess our sin before you.
We fail in believing that your good news is for us.
We falter in our call to tend your creation.
We find our sense of self in material wealth.
We fear those different from ourselves.
We forget that we are your children and turn away from your love.
Forgive us, Blessed One, and assure us again of your saving grace.
Amen.
God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you! Through the power
of the Holy Spirit, ☩ your sins are forgiven. You are
children of the Most High, inheritors of the eternal promise, and recipients of
divine mercy. God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace.
Amen.
Gathering Carol – O Come, All Ye
Faithful (ELW #283)
Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and
might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and
serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Readings
A reading from Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until
the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall
return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he
shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
If the Assyrians come into our land
and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
and eight installed as rulers.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Canticle 18: Luke 1:46b-55 (Song of Mary)
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked
with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will
call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for
me,
and
holy is his name.
His mercy is for
those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he
has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down
the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and
sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his
servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our
ancestors,
to
Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
A reading from the Letter from Paul to the Hebrews 10:5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the
world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not
desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to
do your will, O God’
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
When he said above, “You have neither
desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and
sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I
have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the
second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 1:39-55
Glory to you, O Lord.
In those days Mary set out and went
with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of
Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and
exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord
comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my
womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a
fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the
lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great
things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from
their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good
things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our
ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O
Christ.
Sermon
Written with a lot of help from Father Shannon Kearns (queertheology.com)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.
Mary
spoke the words we heard in today’s Gospel reading when she was young,
unmarried, and pregnant – not an ideal situation in the ancient world. She was
blessed because God chose her, and she accepted the call. She willingly took on
an enormous burden. The burden of uncertainty, the burden of carrying a child
she did not plan to carry; later the burden of seeing her beloved son die.
Hiding
with the wonder of Christmas, the subjugation of Mary, the maligning of her as
meek, mild, and mindless, has been harmful to millions of women over many
centuries.
Despite
Mary being one of the strongest women in the Bible, we often talk about her
only at Christmas time, complete with images of her with the baby Jesus, cutesy
pictures depicting a blond-haired blue-eyed mother and baby and smug sermons
about peace and hope and love.
We
tell a story of angels and shepherds and a patient Joseph.
We
talk about wise men and barnyard animals.
We
talk about a baby who doesn’t cry (and who seems to be unperturbed by a solo
act from a little drummer boy).
We
tell a safe story about a safe and normal family with an adorable new infant.
Which
is a shame.
Because
the real story, the one you get when you strip away all of the Christmas movies,
the
one you get when you actually read the text and know something about history,
the
story we actually get in Scripture,
that
story is awesome. And subversive. And not at all schmaltzy.
Luke’s
is the only gospel in which Mary’s story appears, and, in his account, there is
nothing submissive nor immature about her.
The
real story tells us about a radical teenage girl. Someone with no power in
society.
Someone
already betrothed to a man probably many years her senior (and probably without
her consent).
She’s
got brown skin and dark hair and eyes. She’s living in an occupied territory.
She and her family are constantly under threat from the occupiers.
One
never knows when they will come in and wipe out a town.
Or
when they will decide to take what they want from women and young girls as a
bit of fun.
She
is living on edge. Unsafe.
And
yet she is found by God to be worthy of a great calling.
She
is asked to bear a child. A special child. A child who will change the world.
She
says yes. Young, at risk, without a safety net; she says yes. Knowing what it
could cost her, she says yes.
Not
only does she say yes, but she says yes with a pretty epic speech.
“He has shown strength with his
arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful
from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good
things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,”
This
isn’t your typical “I’m pregnant” announcement.
That
is fierce, activist spirit, “God is going to turn this world upside down and
I’m going to be a part of it.”
She
is saying, listen, God is going to save us. God is going to save us not just
spiritually but physically. God is going to free us from our oppressors, give
the poor what they need, and turn the tables.
Mary
isn’t some docile 25-year old, softly lit, with a halo behind her head.
Honestly, she’s a bit more like Katniss from the “Hunger Games”; a little rough
around the edges and ready to take her part in the revolution when called on.
So
here we have this radical young person, willing to sacrifice. But that’s not
even the whole story. We can’t forget about Joseph.
He
doesn’t often get a lot of credit, but there’s something remarkable about him.
He had every right within the law to get rid of Mary. He probably could have
had her killed.
At
the very least he could have sent her away and left her with nothing. He owed
her nothing. She was his property, and he could dispose of her however she
wished.
But
instead, he decided to marry her anyway.
Not
only did he face communal shame, plus the devaluation of “his property”, but he
also took on an heir that wasn’t his. And he cared for Mary even though he was
getting nothing in return.
Mary
and Joseph then become immigrants and refugees. Traveling far from home, unable
to return home once they have left, on the run for several years from people
who want to have them killed.
All
the while they continue to live and roam through occupied territory, always at
risk, trying to keep a baby safe and cared for.
There
have been a lot of memes comparing the Holy Family to the Syrian refugees who
are on the run. It’s an apt comparison. People fleeing unsafe conditions,
trying to find a place to be safe and secure and take care of their children.
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.
See,
here’s the thing: Jesus wasn’t just any old baby.
He
was destined to grow up to be a revolutionary political leader. This wasn’t
some wandering hippie spouting peace and love – this was a justice maker, a
rabble-rouser, calling out the rich and the powerful.
He
called out oppression, sided with the marginalized, and was always, always on
the side of the poor and those who were outcast.
If
Mary’s response to her pregnancy is any indication, we can imagine that Jesus
grew up with protest songs as his lullabies, being taught about the need for
revolution as he played in the yard, and being encouraged to be fierce and
stand up for what’s right.
He
was raised in occupied lands and that occupation shaped his consciousness.
He
witnessed brutality, poverty, rebellions being violently squashed, and friends
and neighbors being killed.
His
awakening happened and he started to speak out. He started to organize. He
started to make things happen.
This
is a radical story.
It’s
about the birth of a leader who will change the world.
It’s
about the birth of a movement.
It’s
about a family who raised a child in the face of extreme adversity to be loving
and kind and an activist.
This
is not a safe story.
It’s
a story about a family who was (and remains) a threat to political power, to
respectability, and to the status quo.
That’s
the story we should be celebrating all year round because that’s the spirit our
world desperately needs.
We
don’t need more platitudes, more sentiment, more safety; we need boldness and
risk, we need activist hearts.
We need to change the world.
Amen.
Carol of the Day – Hark, the Glad
Sound (ELW #239)
Creed
Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we
say the Nicene Creed:
We
believe in one God,
the
Father, the Almighty,
maker
of heaven and earth,
of
all that is, seen and unseen.
We
believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the
only Son of God,
eternally
begotten of the Father,
God
from God, Light from Light,
true
God from true God,
begotten,
not made,
of
one Being with the Father;
through
him all things were made.
For
us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the
virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who
proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who
with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who
has spoken through the prophets.
We
believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We
acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We
look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and
places that yearn
for God’s presence.
Silence
Nurturing God, you give us life and care for our every need. Use the
church’s gifts and ministries for your service, bringing your word to all who
seek your transforming grace.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Creator God, you proclaim your boundless love for all that you have
made. Renew barren lands, polluted waters, and melting ice caps. Make us
servants of your creation that brings forth abundant life.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Righteous God, you bring down the mighty and lift up the lowly.
Strengthen those who seek justice. Bless the work of community organizers,
activists, journalists, and all who call our attention to imbalances of power.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Compassionate God, you proclaim your love and mercy. Show your loving kindness
to teen parents and those who are pregnant. Comfort any struggling with
infertility and those who await test results, are in treatment and hospice
care, and others in need.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Gracious God, you fill the hungry with good things. Bless the feeding
ministries of this congregation and community. Guide us to share your bounty
with those who hunger or live in poverty.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Please take time to offer your own intercessions or pray in silence.
Faithful God, you stir up the hearts of those who love you. We give you
thanks for those who, like Mary, were courageous in their witness. Give us such
courage until that day when you fulfill all things.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect.
Receive these
prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offertory Carol - He Came Down (ELW #253)
Offering Prayer
Let us pray.
God of abundance, we bring before you the
precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us
patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your
Son, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
This service was created for live worship. For those
worshiping on your own, you may either read the Eucharistic prayer, or skip
ahead to the Lord's Prayer.
Eucharist
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give
our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and
merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
You comforted your people with the promise of
the Redeemer,
through whom you will also make all things new
in the day when he comes to judge the world in
righteousness.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of
heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending
hymn:
Holy,
holy, holy Lord,
God
of power and might,
heaven
and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna
in the highest.
Blessed
are they who come in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna
in the highest.
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver
of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the
light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your
people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and
dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your
will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples,
saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave
thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the
forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come
again.
With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and
resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.
Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours,
Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us
pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your
name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our
daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time
of trial
and deliver us from
evil.
For the kingdom, the
power,
and the glory are
yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
Invitation
Come to Christ’s banquet.
Feast on God’s gift of grace.
Share in Eucharist
Table Blessing
The body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ strengthen you
and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Prayer After Communion
As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.
God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day
when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your
deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our
Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Blessing
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we
may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for
whom we wait.
Amen.
Sending Carol – Joy to the World (ELW
#267)
Dismissal
Go in peace. Christ is near.
Thanks be to God.
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