2nd Sunday of Advent: 9 December 2012

As mentioned last week, Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Messiah.  The lessons, especially from the Epistle and Gospel remind us, that Yeshua will come as a thief in the night, and that we must learn to always be ready for his coming.   We must be like the Jews of Yerushalim who refuse to visit the Dome of the Rock for fear that Messiah would come while they are in it.  That is how prepared we must be.  Every moment of our life lived as though Messiah would return at any minute.

Torah:  Genesis 1:1-2:3

Prophet:  Joshua 7:1-36

Writing:  Sirach 7:1-36

Psalm:  100

Epistle:  Revelations 5:1-14

Gospel:  Matthew. 24:29-42

Collect:  El Shadai, you sent Yeshua into the world to begin the kingdom, announcing by word and mighty acts that you were in the world. Open our hearts and minds through the power of the Ruach haKodesh, so that no matter when you return, we will be prepared for that coming, living lives of holiness, and bearing much fruit. This we ask in the name of Adonai  Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God, in shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (blue)

Morning Prayer Old Testament Reading for today is:  

I Maccabees 1:41-64

3 December:  El Shadai:  You raised up Francis Xavier to proclaim the Gospel in diverse lands of Asia.  Raise up in this and every generation men and women who are ready to proclaim the Gospel to all the world, no matter what the cost.  This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reins with you and the Rucah haKodesh, on God in Shekina glory everlasting.    Amen.

4 December:  El Shaddai, you raised up your presbyter, John of Damascus to defend the faith, and write hymns.  So raise up in this and every generations men and women who will defend the church against heresy and who will stand up for the faith.  This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who stood against the false teaching of his time, and who lives and reigns with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in shekina glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

5 December:  El Shaddai, your presbyter Clement of Alexandria came to you after much seeking and dedicated himself to teaching the faith to Christians and Pagans.  Grant in this and every place men and women who are dedicated to teaching your holy word to those who know and do not know you, and grant that we would truly teach Christians what is truly meant to walk with you.  This we ask through our Saviour, Yeshuah haMoshiach who taught his disciples the truth.  Amen.  (red)

6 December:  El Shaddai, as you raised up Nicholas of Myra to be generous to the poor, children and sailors, bless us that we may be blessings to all who are in need, and teach us to protect the poor, children, sailors, and others whom this world has forgotten, and let your blessing be upon them as well.  This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs  with you in Shekina glory everlasting.  Amen. (red)

7 December:  El Shaddai, you raised up Ambrose to keep the peace, to teach the faith and to enrich our worship of you.  Be for us Lord, medicine when we are sick, our strength when we need help, the way when we long for heaven, our light when all is dark, and our food when we need nourishment.  Send your Ruach haKodesh upon us that we would serve you as Ambrose did.  This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs  with you in Shekina glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

8 December:  El Shaddai, God of all creation, we pray that your kingdom will be manifested in our lives this day. We pray for our congregations which sow the seeds of your word faithfully. May you nourish them that they may bring forth abundant harvest into your kingdom. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs  with you in Shekina glory everlasting.  Amen.

Hanukah begins tonight at Sunset