SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 5, 2021
AS WE GATHER
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These words of greeting from the pen of the apostle Paul are so familiar to us that we may miss what they convey. Grace: God’s riches at Christ’s expense; the favor of the Lord God for sinners like us; the unrelenting, unstoppable love of Jesus revealed in places like the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. Peace: wholeness and completeness that is simultaneously out of this world yet fully in this world; union with the Father through the forgiveness earned by His Son! As we continue our Advent journey today, our gracious God comes to us through His Means of Grace to deliver His perfect peace.
BIBLE READINGS
FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1–7b
(The Lord sends His messenger to His people.)
EPISTLE READING: Philippians 1:2–11 (We thank Jesus for our partnership in the Gospel.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 3:1–14
(John preaches repentance for the forgiveness of sins.)