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December 14, 2025
See TodayAdvent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 35:1–10 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
- Psalm
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Psalm 146 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
- Epistle
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James 5:7–11 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
- Gospel
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Matt. 11:2–15 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Advent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Brings True Rejoicing, Even Under the Cross
Sometimes life requires the astonishing patience of Job. Like him, we are to rejoice in the midst of affliction, be grounded in repentance under the cross of Christ, and hope relentlessly in His resurrection, that we might see “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). In the promise of the Gospel, therefore, “be patient” and “establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7, 8). Like St. John the Baptist, whatever your own kind of prison or suffering may be, call upon Jesus and receive the strength of His Word from those He sends to you. For as “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up,” so is the Good News of Jesus preached to you also (Matt. 11:5). He comes and restores the fortunes of Zion, His Holy Church, so that “sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Is. 35:10).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for December 14, 2025 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord, You are the source of all joy. Even the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad at Your appearance. Sustain us in the time of waiting for Your will and purpose to unfold in these latter days. Give us patience under trials and hope that endures the changes and chances of this mortal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You have sent messengers to prepare the way of Your Son’s coming. Grant us ears to hear and hearts to believe the words delivered by pastors and all who bear Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, You have instituted the home to be a refuge for husbands and wives and a place of growth and safety for children. Look with favor upon the homes of our land, and grant that the faith might be delivered from one generation to the next. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, give guidance to those entrusted with positions of leadership in government. Protect service men and women who defend us against the enemies of our nation, and those who enact and enforce laws that protect us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, the prophet Isaiah looked for the day when blind eyes would see, deaf ears would hear, lame legs would leap and mute tongues would sing. Until the final day of restoration, draw near to all who have requested our prayers, [especially _____________,] and give them healing according to Your gracious will. Bind up those who grieve, that they may look for the resurrection of all flesh. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You give strength to those who are anxious. Give us hearts that trust in You at all times. Grant us courage to confront our doubts and fears with Your Word, and give us strength to fulfill our vocations of worship, witness, prayer and works of mercy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
With great jubilation, O Lord, we rejoice at Your Son’s gracious visitation in His body and blood in the fellowship of this altar. Grant us faith to receive Him worthily as He comes in this foretaste of the Lamb’s marriage feast. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for December 14, 2025 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For joy in the Lord, that we may be sustained in the time of waiting for His will and purpose to unfold in these latter days; for patience under trials; and for hope that endures the changes and chances of this mortal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors and church workers, that the words they bear would prepare the way of Jesus’ second advent and be received by all who hear them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the homes of our land, that God would grant safety and security to all families; and that the faith would be delivered from one generation to the next, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those entrusted with positions of leadership in government; for service men and women who defend us against the enemies of our nation; and for those who enact and enforce laws that protect us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and grieving, [especially _____________,] that as the day draws near when blind eyes see, deaf ears hear, lame legs leap and mute tongues sing for joy, God would grant them healing according to His gracious will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For hearts that trust in the Lord at all times; for courage to confront our doubts and fears with the Word of the Lord; and for strength to fulfill our vocations of worship, witness, prayer and works of mercy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith and joy to receive the Lord’s Supper worthily this day, as Christ comes as a foretaste of the Lamb’s marriage feast, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 345 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
The LCMS studies identify this as the Hymn of the Day for the Third Sunday in Advent in the One-Year Lectionary and Series A, B and C.
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day Studies for Advent — One-Year and Three-Year lectionaries (revised 2021), pp. 5–6 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 349 Hark the Glad Sound
- Distribution LSB 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Distribution LSB 347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
- Closing LSB 398 Hail to the Lord’s Annointed
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.