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December 21, 2025
See TodayFourth Sunday in Advent
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Deut. 18:15–19 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 111 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
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- Epistle
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Phil. 4:4–7 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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- Gospel
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John 1:19–28 or Luke 1:39–56 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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John 1:19–28
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Luke 1:39–56
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
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Fourth Sunday in Advent
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
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).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (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 One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Collect
Historical Collect — Fourth Sunday in Advent
STIR up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us, that by the help of Thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished, through Thy mercy and satisfaction; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for December 21, 2025 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, throughout this Advent season we have heard that Christ has come in the flesh, that He comes to us today in Word and Sacrament, and that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may be kept firm in Your Word and faith until we are received into Your eternal kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of truth, as Your servant John cried out in the wilderness, strengthen our pastors also to preach Your Word of truth in the wilderness of this fallen world. We give You thanks for the men You have raised up for this holy task. Bless them and their labors, and continue to send workers into Your vineyard, that there may be a bountiful harvest. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, we pray for fathers, mothers and children; for husbands and wives; for friends and neighbors; for laborers and employers; for teachers and students; and for all who serve in godly vocations. Let us delight in Your lovingkindness and joyfully serve our neighbor with good works. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of justice, You establish earthly government and teach us to obey those who rule over us. Send Your blessing upon all who make, administer and judge our laws, that Your people may serve You in peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, surround and sustain those who are ill or suffering with the love of Christ [especially _____________]. Bring them healing in accord with Your own perfect will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, fill us with joy as we approach Your altar to receive the body and blood of Christ. Give us the peace that surpasses understanding, the gladness no man can take from us, and the hope that does not fade away. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Dayspring from on high and the splendor of light everlasting. By His coming in the flesh and by His blessed Word, enlighten our hearts with the Gospel, enlighten the hearts of those who sit in the darkness of unbelief with the light of saving faith, and enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death with the certain hope of the resurrection through Him. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; 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 — One-Year 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 21, 2025 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our congregation, which has rejoiced at the first advent of Christ in the flesh, in His continual advent among us in His Word and Sacrament, and which awaits His second advent for judgment at the Last Day, that God would keep us in this Word and faith unto the end, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors who, like John the Baptist, cry out with the Word of truth in the wilderness of this fallen world, that they would be preserved in their labors; and that God would send workers into His vineyard and bring forth a bountiful harvest, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all people as they fulfill their godly vocations: for fathers, mothers and children; for husbands and wives; for friends and neighbors; for laborers and employers; and for teachers and students, that the Lord would grant us delight in His lovingkindness and joy as we serve our neighbor with good works, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For earthly government and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that we may serve God in peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who are ill and those who are suffering, [especially _____________,] that the love of Christ may surround and sustain them, bringing whatever healing is in accord with His own perfect will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who receive the body and blood of Christ, that they would have the peace that surpasses understanding, the gladness that no man can take from them and the hope that does not fade away, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Dayspring from on high and the splendor of light everlasting. By His coming in the flesh and by His blessed Word, enlighten our hearts with the Gospel, enlighten the hearts of those who sit in the darkness of unbelief with the light of saving faith, and enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death with the certain hope of the resurrection through Him. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; 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 — One-Year 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 357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The LCMS studies identify this as the Hymn of the Day for the Fourth 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. 7–8 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 62, not the Lutheran Service Book 357 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Oh, come, Oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. Oh, come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
3. Oh, come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
4. Oh, come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home:
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
by unknown author, c. 1100; Translated by John M. Neale, 1818-1866
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 62; text as printed in The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal (1942) (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Distribution LSB 344 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
- Distribution LSB 337 The Night Will Soon Be Ending
- Distribution LSB 331 The Advent of Our King
- Closing LSB 389 Let All Together Praise Our God
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 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.