Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete)

Collect of the Day

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day:  
 LSB 344 "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry"

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry

Announces that the Lord is nigh;

Awake and hearken, for he brings

Glad tidings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be ev'ry life from sin;

Make straight the way for God within,

And let us all our heats prepare

For Christ to come and enter there.

We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,

Our refuge and our great reward;

Without Thy grace we waste away

Like flow'rs that wither and decay.

Lay on the sick Thy healing hand

And make the fallen strong to stand;

Show us the glory of Thy face

Till beauty springs in ev'ry place.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee

Whose advent sets Thy people free,

Whom with the Father we adore

And Holy Spirit evermore.