Readings for Celebrating Advent

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord God of Israel!
    He has come to take care of his people
        and to set them free.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty Savior for us
    in the family of his servant David.
⁷⁰ He made this promise through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ He promised to save us from our enemies
    and from the power of all who hate us.
⁷² He has shown his mercy to our ancestors
    and remembered his holy promise,^[a]
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ power
    so that we could serve him without fear
⁷⁵ by being holy and honorable as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.
    You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.
⁷⁷ You will make his people know that they can be saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ A new day will dawn on us from above
    because our God is loving and merciful.
⁷⁹ He will give light to those who live in the dark
    and in death’s shadow.
    He will guide us into the way of peace.”