Third Sunday of Advent

Lord God,
may we, your people,
who look forward to the birthday of Christ
experience the joy of salvation
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Today's Collect

Finding peace while in a world of transition

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord
one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years like one day.

The Lord does not delay his promise,
as some regard "delay,"
but he is patient with you,
not wishing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then
the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar
and the elements will be dissolved by fire,
and the earth and everything done on it
will be found out.

Since everything is to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of persons ought you to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
waiting for and hastening
the coming of the day of God,
because of which
the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.

But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved,
since you await these things,
be eager to be found
without spot or blemish before him,
at peace.

(today's Epistle - 2 Peter 3:8-14)

Second Sunday of Advent

Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.

Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

(Collect of the day)