on the radio 12.23.09

ScotK — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:30:27 +0000

Had the opportunity to visit with Todd Wilken on Issues, Etc. on the subject of Ember Days and repentance. The link to the streaming audio is here.

Time of Christmas — Advent

ScotK — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:00:33 +0000

Advent in the first season in the TIME OF CHRISTMAS. The calendar of the Church begins with Advent (from Latin adventus, which means “coming into”), a four-week period of preparation before Christmas.The Savior’s birth is second in importance only to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. During Christmas and its season, Christians take time to reflect on God’s great and gracious gift of Himself.

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before December 25, or the Sunday closest to St. Andrew (November 30), and ends with midday prayer on December 24.

The story of Jesus in Advent is the story of hope coming into the world. When the time was just right, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. The Advent season teaches us to prepare to receive Jesus, the hope of the world.

The liturgical color for Advent is violet (when using the 1-year lectionary) or blue (when following one of the 3-year lectionaries).

Propers for The Time of Christmas

First Sunday in Advent

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (L01)

Jeremiah 23:5–8
Psalm 24:1-10 (v. 7)
Romans 13:8–10, 11–14
Matthew 21:1–9 or Mark 13:24–37

Second Sunday in Advent

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (L02)

Malachi 4:1–6
Psalm 50:1–15 (v. 15)
Romans 15:4–13
Luke 21:25–36

Third Sunday in Advent

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (L03)

Isaiah 40:1–8, 9–11
Psalm 85:1-13 (v. 9)
1 Corinthians 4:1–5
Matthew 11:2–10, 11

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (L04)

Deuteronomy 18:15–19
Psalm 111:1-10 (v. 9)
Philippians 4:4–7
John 1:19–28 or Luke 1:39–56