Readings for Celebrating Advent

¹ Behold, I am sending my messenger^[a]
    to prepare the way before me.
And suddenly the Lord whom you seek
    will come to the temple,
as well as the messenger of the covenant
    in whom you delight.
Indeed he is coming,
    says the Lord of hosts.
² But who will be able to endure
    the day of his coming,
    and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire
    or like a fuller’s soap.
³ He will sit refining and purifying;
    he will purify the descendants of Levi
and refine them like gold or silver
    so that they may in righteousness
    offer due sacrifice to the Lord.