Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5a
Leader: Bethlehem, you are little to be among the clans of Judah. Don’t consider yourself insignificant, because from you shall come forth for me One who is to be ruler in Israel. His origin is from of old, from ancient days.
People: He shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
Leader: His flock shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
People: And he shall be our peace.
Hymn/Song Suggestion:
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“He Shall Feed His Flock” (from MESSIAH)
“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
“Shepherd Me, Lord”
Luke 1:46b-55
All: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Women: He has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is his name!
Men: His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Women: He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their own hearts.
Men: He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
Women: He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
Men: He has helped his people in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors.
All: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Traditional Solo: Any setting of the “Magnificat”
Congregational Suggestions:
“O Magnify the Lord” (CLB)
“O Lord, Our Lord” FINLANDIA (CLB)
“Sing Out, My Soul” (TZE)
Contemporary Solo:
“Magnify!” (Luke Garrett)
“Sing, My Soul” (Ragan Courtney/Buryl Red) from Celebrate Life
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
Dramatic Dialogue
Male Voice: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah. There she greeted Elizabeth who was pregnant with the child who would later be called “John the Baptizer.” And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb! Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry,
Female Voice: (loudly) Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.