Today we light our fourth Advent candle.
Let us Pray
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, merciful and gentle: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your light has shone in our darkened world through the child-bearing of blessed Mary; grant that we who have seen your glory may daily be renewed in your image and prepared like her for the coming of your Son, who is the Lord and Savior of all. Amen.
Let us Walk
We walk this week with Mary, the mother of Jesus, chosen to bear the Christ in her womb. As we look ahead this week to the coming King, I wonder, what stories and memories do you treasure and ponder in your heart? In what ways might God be inviting you to love and be loved? In what ways are you chosen to bear the image of Christ in the world? What fear, what hope, and what strength do you encounter as you consider this calling?
Let us Prepare
Let us prepare for the week with this Canticle from Evening Prayer
MAGNIFICAT - The Song of Mary
My soul magnifies the Lord, *
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
For he has regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on, *
all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, *
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm; *
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
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