4th Sunday of Advent 2024

Join us at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church as we observe the 4th Sunday of Advent 2024 with a Rite 1 Mass. Our service begins at 9:00 AM, and we welcome everyone to attend, whether in person or via our live stream.

Please sign up for our Sunday newsletter if you want a reminder about this service.

How to Join Us Virtually

We would be delighted for you to join us whenever you can.

Collect for The 4th Sunday of Advent 2024

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns for 4th Sunday of Advent 2024

• Opening Hymn: 66 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
• Sequence Hymn: 56 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Closing Hymn: 57 Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending

Readings for The 4th Sunday of Advent 2024

Old Testament: Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

Psalm: Canticle 15 — The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) or Psalm 80:1-7

Canticle 15 — The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.

Psalm 80:1-7

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; * shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up your strength and come to help us. Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts, * how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; * you have given them bowls of tears to drink. You have made us the derision of our neighbors, * and our enemies laugh us to scorn. Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

A Reflection of the Readings for 4th Sunday of Advent 2024

As we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath, let us take a moment to reflect on the joy and anticipation of Christ’s coming. This week’s readings remind us of the fulfilled prophecies and the promises of God’s enduring presence with us.

In Micah, we hear the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem who will bring peace and shepherd His flock. Canticle 15, The Song of Mary, and Psalm 80 provide us hope and praise, acknowledging God’s mighty deeds and seeking His continued favor. The Epistle to the Hebrews highlights Christ’s sacrificial obedience, emphasizing the significance of His coming. The Gospel of Luke recounts Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, capturing the profound joy felt and expressed in anticipation of the coming Savior.

We look forward to sharing this service and season of Advent with you. As we approach Christmas, may our hearts be open and prepared for the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ.