Open Word

FIRST READING

Malachi 2:10-3:1

Verse 10. Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? Verse 11. Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. Verse 12. As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware — even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts. Verse 13. And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands. Verse 14. Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Verse 15. Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. Verse 16. “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. Verse 17. You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?” Verse 1. “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple — the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight — see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

PSALM

Psalm 27

Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me.

My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

SECOND READING

Luke 1:5-17

Verse 5. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Verse 6. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. Verse 7. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. Verse 8. One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, Verse 9. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. Verse 10. And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. Verse 11. Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. Verse 12. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. Verse 13. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Verse 14. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, Verse 15. for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. Verse 16. Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. Verse 17. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”