Lectio Concordia

Preparing the Way – Thursday

Preparing for the Second Sunday of Advent

Series: Lectio Concordia

December 5, 2024 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: You are gracious and merciful, Father, having made a way to you through this wilderness of life. Continue to to draw me to you so that my life may be redeemed through Christ Jesus who lives with you and your Spirit, forever one God. Amen.

• Psalm 85:1–13

• Isaiah 62:10–12

• From The Lutheran Confessions: On account of this, let no one boast of works, because no one is justified by his deeds. But the one who is righteous has it given him because he was justified in the washing of Baptism. Therefore, faith is that which frees through the blood of Christ, because “blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1). These are the words of Ambrose, which clearly favor our doctrine. He denies justification through works, and teaches that faith sets us free through the blood of Christ. (The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Affirmation of the the Church Fathers)

Hymn: "Prepare the Royal Highway"
You may sing alone with this organ tune and find many other hymns on the Hymnary website.

Prepare the royal highway,
the King of kings is near;
let every hill and valley
a level road appear.
Then greet the king of glory
foretold in sacred story:

Refrain: O blest is he that came
in God the Father’s name!

God’s people, see him coming:
your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him;
spread garments; shout and sing.
God’s promise will not fail you;
no more shall doubt assail you. Refrain

Then fling the gates wide open
to greet your promised king;
your king, yet every nation
its tribute too should bring.
All lands, bow down before him;
all voices, thus adore him. Refrain

His is no earthly kingdom;
it comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding
for kindness so abounding. Refrain

• Benediction: You have sent your messenger to prepare the way before you, so help us to return to you as you would return to us, and save us in the coming Day. Amen.

• Memory Verse: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

• Memory Verse Aid: IATV; YATB. WAIM AIIH, HIITBMF, FAFM YCDN. (John 15:5)