The Advent of Our Lord

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Behold, the King comes:
Oh, come, let us worship Him.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (ESV)

Jesus commends Mary for choosing "that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" by sitting at His feet and hearing His Word. This Advent devotion prepares us by emphasizing that hearing and keeping the Word of God is essential to the Christian life.

Prayer of the Day

Pour out upon us Thy Holy Spirit that He may enlighten us to know what is right, and awaken within us a desire to hear and inwardly digest Thy Word. Amen.

Closing Prayer

O almighty and most merciful God, of Your bountiful goodness keep us, we implore You, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready, both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that You would have done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.