Readings for Celebrating Advent

“My soul praises the Lord;
⁴⁷     my heart is happy because God is my Savior.
⁴⁸ I am not important, but God has shown his care for me, his servant girl.
From now on, all people will say that I am blessed,
⁴⁹     because the Powerful One has done great things for me.
    His name is holy.
⁵⁰ God will always give mercy
    to those who worship him.
⁵¹ God’s arm is strong.
    He scatters the people who are proud
    and think great things about themselves.
⁵² God brings down rulers from their thrones,
    and he raises up the humble.
⁵³ God fills the hungry with good things,
    but he sends the rich away with nothing.
⁵⁴ God has helped his people Israel who serve him.
    He gave them his mercy.
⁵⁵ God has done what he promised to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his children forever.”