Thursday in Advent — Open Word

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 6:1-11

Verse 1. David again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all. Verse 2. And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name— the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it. Verse 3. They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart, Verse 4. bringing with it the ark of God. And Ahio was walking in front of the ark. Verse 5. David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. Verse 6. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. Verse 7. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. Verse 8. Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. So he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day. Verse 9. That day David feared the LORD and asked, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” Verse 10. So he was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Verse 11. Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household.

PSALM

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.

For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”

You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant:

‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’”

You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.

I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.

My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.

No enemy will exact tribute; no wicked man will oppress him.

I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.

My faithfulness and loving devotion will be with him, and through My name his horn will be exalted.

I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand upon the rivers.

He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’

SECOND READING

Hebrews 1:1-4

Verse 1. On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. Verse 2. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. Verse 3. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Verse 4. So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.