Consider the Word, December 2, 2021

Consider the Word, December 2, 2021
Advent II
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for December 5:

• Baruch 5:1-9 Or Malachi 3:1-4
• Canticle 19 (Luke 1:68-79)
• Philippians 1:3-11
• Luke 3:1-6a

 
Collect

Almighty God,

who sent your servant John the Baptist

to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah,

inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth,

to turn our disobedient hearts to you,

that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge,

we may stand with confidence before his glory;

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, -as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; -and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

 
Reflection Questions

1. Why would John preach that the first step on our journey toward freedom is a baptism of repentance?
2. What is the nature of the Good News that John proclaims, that is not just for us, but for the whole world?

 
Closing Prayer

Out of the embrace of mercy and righteousness,

you have brought forth joy and dignity for your people,

O Holy One of Israel.

Remember now your ancient promise:

make straight the paths that lead to you,

and smooth the rough ways,

that in our day

we might bring forth your compassion

for all humanity. Amen.

 
The Message: Luke 3:1-6

3 ^1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!

“Prepare God’s arrival!

Make the road smooth and straight!

Every ditch will be filled in,

Every bump smoothed out,

The detours straightened out,

All the ruts paved over.

Everyone will be there to see

The parade of God’s salvation.”

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson