MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Communion’s prayer, 4th Sunday of Advent
Week from 18th to 23th December 2017
“The advent, rising of the glory of God”
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Introduction : The advent, which tells us about the arrival of the Messiah, is God’s glory rising. It is a great day that has been expected by
all believers, as it means God’s arrival among them, God’s dwelling with them, God’s being for them. For it is written: “All this took place
to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: „the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel‟, which means, „God with us” Mt 1:22-23. To those who hope for and trust in the rising of his glory, God gives a great promise,
namely light and healing. For the Lord declared: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See,
darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you” Is 60:1-2.
He also said: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap
like calves released from the stall” Mal 3:20. God has made all those who believe in Him “instruments for noble purposes” (2 Tim 2:20).
To this end, the Holy Scriptures says: “and those He predestined, He also called, those He called, He also justified; those He justified,
He also glorified” Rom 8:30, a glory that will not be taken away from them (Luke 10:42).
Monday 18: The rising glory of God, glorification of his people.
“The mountain of the Lord‟s temple will … be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it” Is 2:2.
Reading 1: Is 45: 14 – 17; Reading 2: Is 2: 2 – 3; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Is 2:2. Other references:
– “Nations will come to your light, and king to the Brightness of your down” Is 60:3
– “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” Col 3:4
Tuesday 19: The rising glory of God, salvation for his people.
“For my eyes have seen your salvation” Luke 2:30.
Reading 1: Is 9:1-4; Reading 2: Luke 2: 21-32; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Luke 2: 29-32. Other references:
– “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” Jn 1:14b.
– “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, „I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life” Jn 8:12.
Wednesday 20 : Jesus Christ is the rising of God’s glory.
“And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me” Jn 5:37a.
Reading 1: Pet 1:16-18; Reading Jn 5:31-39; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 5:37. Other references:
– “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Is 9:6.
– “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father,
he will testify about me” Jn 15:26.
Thursday 21 : The rising of God’s glory cannot be thwarted.
“I tell you‟ he replied „if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” Luke 19:40.
Reading 1: Acts 18:1-11; Reading 2: Luke 19:29-40; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Luke 19:39-40. Other references:
– “When I act, who can reverse it?” Is 43:13b.
– “But God‟s word is not chained” 2 Tim 2:9b.
Friday 22: The believer has the duty to let the glory of God rise.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” Mt 5:14.
Reading 1: Ezek 33:1-9; Reading 2: Mt 5:14-16; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 5:14. Other references:
– “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from
me” Ezek.3:17.
– “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” 1
Cor 9:16.
Saturday 23: Believe in the rising of God’s glory.
“Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1Pet 1:13d.
Reading 1: 2 Chron. 20:14-21; Reading 2: 1 Pet 1:10-13; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: 1 Pet 1:13. Other references:
– “Then the Lord said to Abraham, „why did Sarah laugh and say, „will I really have a child, now that I am old? Is
anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son” Gen 18:13-
14.
– “Then Jesus said to the centurion, „go! It will be done just as you believed it would.‟ And his servant was healed at that
very hour” Mt 8:13.
– “Then Jesus said, „Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” Jn 11:40.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the web site www.hifimadanet.
org and on Facebook “Hifi – english”. © Madanet