Saturday in Advent — Open Word

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 7:23-29

Verse 23. And who is like Your people Israel — the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. Verse 24. For You have established Your people Israel as Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God. Verse 25. And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised, Verse 26. so that Your name will be magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts is God over Israel.’ And the house of Your servant David will be established before You. Verse 27. For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You. Verse 28. And now, O Lord GOD, You are God! Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. Verse 29. Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

PSALM

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?

You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.

You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.

Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.

Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.

Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

SECOND READING

John 3:31-36

Verse 31. The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. Verse 32. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. Verse 33. Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. Verse 34. For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. Verse 35. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. Verse 36. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”