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[12DEC2011] Advent – Week 3: Readings, Reflection, & Prayer

(The Daily Office—Year 2; The Book of Common Prayer)

♦ Psalm 41, 52 ♦ 44

♦ Readings – Zech. 1:7-17 ♦ Rev. 3:7-13

♦ Matthew 24:15-31

I am like an olive tree,

Thriving in the house of God.

I will always trust in

God’s unfailing love.

I will praise you forever, O God,

For what you have done.

I will trust in your good Name

In the presence of your

Faithful people. -Psalm 52:8-9 NLT

The apostles took every care not to be drawn from the right path. They kept watch, observing the universal precepts their master had given to his disciples so as to be ready when he came again. Consequently we must always be on the lookout for Christ’s twofold coming, the one when he comes day after day to stir our consciences, and the other when we shall have to give an account of everything we have done. He comes to us now in order that his future coming may find us prepared. -Paschasius Radbertus [ninth century Benedictine]

Incline a merciful ear to our cry, we pray, O LORD, and casting light on the darkness of our hearts, visit us with the grace of your Son.  Stifle the empty clamor of this too-often secularized Christmas season, and set us free to reject the greed and waste so prevalent around us. Let us confirm our convictions without speech, praising you with our actions and our lives as dazzling witness to Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.