Third Advent Reading

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on Earth, good will to men

 

… And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on Earth, " I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on Earth, good will to men

 

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on Earth, good will to men

 

… And the bells, they're ringing

Like a choir they're singing

And with our hearts, we'll hear them

 Peace on Earth, good will to men

 

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing?

The light, the angels singing

Open up your heart and hear them

Peace on Earth, good will to men

 

(LIGHT CANDLES 1,2, & 3)

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

(Prayer)

 

Dear Father,

As we face days of uncertainty and confusion, when we see days where it seems evil is prevailing, remind us O Lord to listen. God remind us, you bring peace to us, now. We can also look forward to the day you will bring peace to the world. Remind us to not be afraid. Remind us God, you save us and we can anticipate that you will meet our needs. Remind us God, to take your peace to our world around us. We ask this in the name of the prince of peace, Jesus. Amen!