Midweek Devotion for the Fourth Week of Advent

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Advent 4, December 22
Scripture Luke 1:46b-55  – Elise
46 And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
47   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’

Light of the Advent Candles – Clarenbach FamilyToday we light the four Advent candles. We light the candle of Hope remembering the Hope of Christ’s coming, the dream that Christ’s gifts of healing are for all the world. (Light a candle)

We light the candle of Peace knowing that it is God’s grace that will end all division and fighting on the earth. (Light a second candle)

We light the candle of Joy celebrating and remembering that the joy of the Lord is our strength and will be our source of courage in this world. (Light a third candle if you are using a pink candle, please lit that one here*)

We now light the candle of Love because it is out of love that God sent his Son into the world to save all of us. (Light a fourth candle)

Isaiah spoke to a people called chosen, to a tribe called Israel, with a light of hope.
Gabriel came to a town called Nazareth, to a girl called Mary, with a light of joy.
Mary went to a place called Bethlehem, to a stable called a nursery, with a light of love.

As we light our fourth Advent candle,
we rejoice with Mary, for Love has flesh.
Come now, O Child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Love.

Let Us Pray: Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music: “GTG 100 “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” Carol Wetzel
My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.

You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

(chorus)
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.

Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn. (chorus)

From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.

The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread; every mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn. (chorus)

Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.

This saving word that our forebears heard

is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around. (chorus)

TEXT: Rory Cooney, 1990; © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.
MUSIC (STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN, Irregular): Irish melody;
arr. Rory Cooney, 1990;  arr. © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. First Presbyterian Church, FDL OneLicense #A-730666

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