Readings for the Third Sunday in Advent.

On Wednesday or Thursday I plan to post the readings and a summary of them for the upcoming Sunday. I don't know about you, but I like having time to view what's on the lectionary ahead of time. So, here's the first installment. The readings for the third Sunday in Advent are Is. 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thes. 5:16-24; and John 1:6-8, 19-28. John the Baptizer was a preparer—a voice to make his hearers ready for Christ’s coming. He pointed out Him who was coming to die for the sins of the world and give us His righteousness. Today, our Lord still sends preachers of repentance and forgiveness—for we often fail to take God at His Word of promise. Through the preaching of pastors and the admonition of friends, He returns our trust to be in Him alone.