1. ——Fourth S. in Advent (Rorate Coeli) (Dec.
23) John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the
Messiah
—Deut. 18:15-19; —Phil. 4:4-7; —John 1:19-28 or Luke 1:39-
56; —Psalm 111
Memorization Verses:
Deut. 18: 18 I will raise up for them a prophet who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal
like you from among their brothers. And I will I am not worthy to untie.‖
put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak Luke 1:49 he who is mighty has done great
to them all that I command him. things for me, and holy is his name.
— Phil. 4: 7 And the peace of God, which — Psalm 111: 9 He sent redemption to his
surpasses all understanding, will guard your people; he has commanded his covenant
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
— John 1: 26 John answered them… even he

2. •God reveals strength and power in
weakness, or in simple ways we
don‘t expect.
•Think of examples from the bible
and your own life.

3. …Lord in Your Mercy. proclaim its promises.
…Hear our Prayer. 4 Ruler of Israel, Ancient of
1 Let us come before the throne Days, to you we commend our
of God‘s grace and present our government, all who hold offices
petitions with confidence in the of public trust, and all in our
 Use your prayer notes.
Spirit through our Lord Jesus to armed forces, especially those in
 Use a verse from the His heavenly Father, for He is these days serving far from home
bible to reflect on. kind and full of compassion. and loved ones. Strengthen and
 Pray about God‘s gift 2 Faithful Father, in the fullness uphold them in honor, protect
of the Messiah. of time You sent Your Son into the them from evil and guide them in
 P raise womb of the Blessed Virgin that paths that are pleasing to You.
R epentance there might finally be a Man who 5 O King whose mercy is on all
A ppreciation fully did Your will and so bring all who fear Him from generation to
Y ou people back to You. Give Your generation, in the days ahead
E veryone baptized people grace to welcome many will come to Your services
R esolve their Savior‘s birth with songs of who do not make a regular use of
joy and shouts of deliverance, for Your means of grace. Touch their
He is truly our Emmanuel. hearts, renew their minds and stir
3 As Mary heard, believed and up in them a hunger for You and
treasured the Words spoken by the Your good gifts that they may
angel, so grant to all pastors, return often to Your house and
deaconesses, teachers and other feast on Your bounty with all Your
servants of Your Church a love for faithful.
Your Word and a fervent desire to

4. 6 Father, You sent Your Son into 8 O God our Father, by the
the flesh to be our Good offering of Your Son‘s body, once
Shepherd and the very gift of and for all, You have sanctified
peace. We beg that peace for all Your people and freed them from
who are sad in these days, for the destruction and promised to raise
 Use your prayer notes.
grieving and lonely, the forgotten them from the grave. Receive our
 Use a verse from the and homeless, the refugee and the praise this day for Mary,
bible to reflect on.
imprisoned, the widows and the Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph and
 Pray about God‘s gift orphans, the poor and the needy all your faithful ones who have
of the Messiah. and all who cry out for healing trusted in Your promises and
 P raise and mercy upon their broken fallen asleep in Your friendship.
R epentance lives [especially___________]., Give us grace to walk before You
A ppreciation 7 God our Savior, You gave Your with faith like theirs and bring us
Y ou Son to be the Bread of Life, born at last with them to the joyous
E veryone for us in Bethlehem, the House of light of Your heavenly Kingdom.
R esolve Bread. Grant all your children 9 These things and whatever else
who commune this day both You know us to need, most Holy
repentance for their sin and faith Father, grant us for the sake of
in Your unfailing mercy, that they Him who is Emmanuel, the God
might receive the body and blood who is with us, and who now
of their Savior in a worthy lives and reigns with You and the
manner and to their abundant Holy Spirit, one God, now and
blessing. forever. AMEN

5. 1 O come, O come Emmanuel, That trust Thy mighty pow'r to save,
And ransom captive Israel, And give them vict'ry o'er the grave.
That mourns in lonely exile here [Refrain]
Until the Son of God appear. 5 O come, thou Key of David, come,
Rejoice! Rejoice! And open wide our heav'nly home;
Emmanuel Make safe the way that leads on high,
Shall come to thee, And close the path to misery. [Refrain]
O Israel! 6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
2 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Who ord'rest all things mightily; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
to us the path of knowledge show, And death's dark shadows put to flight.
And teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain] [Refrain]
3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, 7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height In one the hearts of all mankind;
In ancient times didst give the Law Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
In cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain] And be Thyself our King of Peace.
4 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse's tree, [Refrain]
Free them from Satan's tyranny

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWEPFcyQXM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzjHjXe-2XU

7. John the Baptizer Points Everyone to
the Messiah
 Meet w/teams
3-5 min per box
 What are the major points of your text?
 How does your topic fit the pericope
theme?
 How does it connect to the other texts?
How is it unique?

8. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 them a prophet like you from
A New Prophet like Moses among their brothers. And I
15 ―The LORD your God will will put my words in his mouth,
raise up for you a prophet like and he shall speak to them all
me from among you, from your that I command him. 19 And
brothers—it is to him you shall whoever will not listen to my
listen— 16 just as you desired of words that he shall speak in my
the LORD your God at Horeb on name, I myself will require it of
the day of the assembly, when him.
you said, ‗Let me not hear
again the voice of the LORDmy
God or see this great fire any
more, lest I die.‘ 17 And
the LORD said to me, ‗They are
right in what they have
spoken. 18 I will raise up for

9. Philippians 4:4-7 God. 7 And the peace of
English Standard Version God, which surpasses all
(ESV) understanding, will guard
4 Rejoice in the Lord your hearts and your minds
always; again I will say, in Christ Jesus.
rejoice. 5 Let your
reasonableness be known to
everyone. The Lord is at
hand; 6 do not be anxious
about anything, but in
everything by prayer and
supplication with
thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to

10. John 1:19-28 Isaiah said.‖
The Testimony of John the 24 (Now they had been sent from
Baptist the Pharisees.) 25 They asked
19 And this is the testimony of him,―Then why are you
John, when the Jews sent priests baptizing, if you are neither the
and Levites from Jerusalem to Christ, nor Elijah, nor the
ask him, ―Who are you?‖ 20 He Prophet?‖ 26 John answered
confessed, and did not deny, but them, ―I baptize with water, but
confessed, ―I am not the among you stands one you do
Christ.‖ 21 And they asked him, not know, 27 even he who comes
―What then? Are you Elijah?‖ after me, the strap of whose
He said, ―I am not.‖ ―Are sandal I am not worthy to
you the Prophet?‖ And he untie.‖ 28 These things took
answered, ―No.‖ 22 So they said place in Bethany across the
to him, ―Who are you? We need Jordan, where John was
to give an answer to those who baptizing.
sent us. What do you say about
yourself?‖ 23 He said, ―I am the
voice of one crying out in the
wilderness, ‗Make straight[a] the
way of the Lord,‘ as the prophet

11. Luke 1:39-56 49 for he who is mighty has done great
Mary Visits Elizabeth things for me,
39 In those days Mary arose and went with and holy is his name.
haste into the hill country, to a town in 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
Judah, 40 and she entered the house of from generation to generation.
Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And 51 He has shown strength with his arm;
when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, he has scattered the proud in the
the baby leaped in her womb. And thoughts of their hearts;
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy 52 he has brought down the mighty from
Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud their thrones
cry, ―Blessed are you among women, and exalted those of humble estate;
and blessed is the fruit of your 53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
womb! 43 And why is this granted to me and the rich he has sent away empty.
that the mother of my Lord should come to 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your in remembrance of his mercy,
greeting came to my ears, the baby in my 55 as he spoke to our fathers,
womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she to Abraham and to his offspring forever.‖
who believed that there would be [a] a  56 And Mary remained with her about three
fulfillment of what was spoken to her from months and returned to her home.
the Lord.‖
Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
―My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of
his servant.
For behold, from now on all
generations will call me blessed;

12. Psalm 111 6 He has shown his people the
Great Are the LORD's Works power of his works,
111 [a] Praise the LORD! in giving them the inheritance of
I will give thanks to the LORD with the nations.
my whole heart, 7 The works of his hands are
in the company of the upright, in faithful and just;
the congregation. all his precepts are trustworthy;
2 Great are the works of the LORD, 8 they are established forever and
studied by all who delight in ever,
them. to be performed with faithfulness
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his and uprightness.
work, 9 He sent redemption to his people;
and his righteousness endures he has commanded his covenant
forever. forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous Holy and awesome is his name!
works to be remembered; 10 The fear of the LORD is the
the LORD is gracious and beginning of wisdom;
merciful. all those who practice it have a
5 He provides food for those who good understanding.
fear him; His praise endures forever!
he remembers his covenant
forever.

13. FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT (Rorate Coeli)
Deuteronomy 18:15–19
Philippians 4:4–7
John 1:19–28
or Luke 1:39–56
John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah
The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people
of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19).
God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His
people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the
earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin
Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy
to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we
have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7).

14.  Christmas Eve-359 Shall be the joy of all your earth
 1 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!  Christmas Dawn- 375
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung.  1 Come, your hearts and voices
It came, a flower bright, raising,
Amid the cold of winter Christ the Lord with gladness
When half-gone was the night. praising;
Loudly sing His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom.
 Christmas Midnight- 358
 From Heaven above to earth I come  Christmas Day- 382
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring  1. We praise You, Jesus, at Your
Whereof I now will say and sing: birth;
Clothed in flesh You came to earth.
The virgin bears a sinless boy
 To you this night is born a child And all the angels sing for joy.
Of Mary, chosen mother mild; Alleluia!
This little child, of lowly birth,

16.  Dec. 30
 First Sunday a. Christmas
 Isaiah 11:1-5 or
 2 Samuel 7:1-16
 Galatians 4:1-7
 Luke 2:(22-32)33-40
 Psalm 89:1-8
 The Seed of David Comes
to His Temple

17. Isaiah 11:1-5 4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
The Righteous Reign of the Branch a child, is no different from a 31 that you have prepared in the
11 There shall come forth a shoot from slave, [a] though he is the owner of presence of all peoples,
the stump of Jesse, everything, 2 but he is under guardians 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and a branch from his roots shall and managers until the date set by his and for glory to your people Israel.‖
bear fruit. father. 3 In the same way we also, 33 And his father and his mother
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest when we were children, were enslaved marveled at what was said about
upon him, to the elementary principles[b] of the him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and
the Spirit of wisdom and world. 4 But when the fullness of time said to Mary his mother, ―Behold, this
understanding, had come, God sent forth his child is appointed for the fall and
the Spirit of counsel and might…. Son, bornof woman, born under the rising of many in Israel, and for a
2 Samuel 7:1-16 law, 5 to redeem those who were under sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword
The Lord's Covenant with David the law, so that we might will pierce through your own soul
7 Now when the king lived in his receive adoption as sons. 6 And also), so that thoughts from many
house and the Lordhad given him rest because you are sons, God has sent the hearts may be revealed.‖
from all his surrounding enemies,2 the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna…
king said to Nathan the prophet, ―See crying, ―Abba! Father!‖7 So you are no The Return to Nazareth
now, I dwellin a house of cedar, but longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, 39 And when they had performed
the ark of God dwells in a tent.‖3 And then an heir through God. everything according to the Law of the
Nathan said to the king, ―Go, do all Luke 2:22-40 Lord…
that is in your heart, for the Lord is Jesus Presented at the Temple Psalm 89:1-8
with you.‖ 22 And when the time came for their I Will Sing of the Steadfast Love of
4 But that same night the word of purification according to the Law of the Lord
the Lord came to Nathan, 5 ―Go and Moses, they brought him up to A Maskil[a] of Ethan the Ezrahite.
tell my servant David, ‗Thus says Jerusalem to present him to the 89 I will sing of the steadfast love of
theLord: Would you build me a house Lord 23… the Lord, forever;
to dwell in? … 29 ―Lord, now you are letting your with my mouth I will make known
Galatians 4:1-7 servant [a] departin peace, yourfaithfulness to all generations….
Sons and Heirs according to your word;

18. Isaiah 11:1-5; 2 Samuel 7:1-16; Galatians 4:1-7; you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When peoples,
Luke 2:22-40; Psalm 89:1-8 your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
Isaiah 11:1-5 fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who and for glory to your people Israel.‖
The Righteous Reign of the Branch shall come from your body, and I will establish his 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what
11 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and
of Jesse, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom said to Mary his mother, ―Behold, this child is
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel,
2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will disciplineand for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts
the Spirit of counsel and might, of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from from many hearts may be revealed.‖
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of theLORD. him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, shall be made sure forever before me. [c] Your throne years, having lived with her husband seven years
or decide disputes by what his ears hear, shall be established forever.‘‖ from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, Galatians 4:1-7 until she was eighty-four.[b] She did not depart from
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; Sons and Heirs the temple,worshiping with fasting and prayer night
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his 4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no and day.38 And coming up at that very hour she
mouth, different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers all who werewaiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
wicked. until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we The Return to Nazareth
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, also, when we were children, were enslaved to the 39 And when they had performed everything
and faithfulness the belt of his loins. elementary principles[b] of the world. 4 But when the according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into
The LORD'S Covenant with David fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the
7 Now when the king lived in his house and Son, bornof woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.
the LORDhad given him rest from all his surrounding those who were under the law, so that we might And the favor of God was upon him.
enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, ―See receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, Psalm 89:1-8
now, I dwellin a house of cedar, but the ark of God God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, I Will Sing of the Steadfast Love of the LORD
dwells in a tent.‖3 And Nathan said to the king, ―Go, crying, ―Abba! Father!‖7 So you are no longer a A Maskil[a] of Ethan the Ezrahite.
do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.‖ slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through 89 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD,
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to God. forever;
Nathan, 5 ―Go and tell my servant David, ‗Thus says Luke 2:22-40 with my mouth I will make known
theLORD: Would you build me a house to dwell Jesus Presented at the Temple yourfaithfulness to all generations.
in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I 22 And when the time came for their purification 2 For I said, ―Steadfast love will be built up forever;
brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up in the heavens you will establish
day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is yourfaithfulness.‖
dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all written in the Law of the Lord, ―Every male who 3 You have said, ―I have made a covenant with
the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of first opens the womb shall be called holy to the mychosen one;
the judges[a] of Israel, whom I commanded to Lord‖) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is I have sworn to David my servant:
shepherd my people Israel, saying, ―Why have you said in the Law of the Lord, ―a pair of turtledoves, or 4 ‗I will establish your offspring forever,
not built me a house of cedar?‖‘ 8 Now, therefore, two young pigeons.‖25 Now there was a man in and build your throne for all generations.‘‖Selah
5