Introduction: For hundreds of years many Christian traditions have read passages of scripture using a tool called a lectionary. This Advent season our devotional team decided to resource you with selections from the Revised Common Lectionary. You will encounter texts from the Psalms, the Prophets, and the New Testament as well as formal prayers. Each text has been selected to build anticipation for the coming of Christ – the Light of the World – amid the dark, cold days of winter. Reflect on the first coming of Christ while yearning for his second coming.
Note. If you desire to read these passages in a different version of the Bible, this link will provide all the readings for week 3 in Bible Gateway where you may also choose other versions of these passages.)
John 1:6-8
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John 1:19-28
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us.
What do you say about yourself?”John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him,
“Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.
He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
