Anna had grown old in faith and hope, but when she saw the Child of God’s promise brought to the Temple, she sang in her heart a new song of praise and thanksgiving. One is never too old to be surprised by joy.

Strike up the instruments,

a song to my God with timbrels,

chant to the Lord with cymbals.

Sing to him a new song,

exalt and acclaim his name.

A new hymn I will sing to my God.

O Lord, great are you and glorious,

wonderful in power and unsurpassable.

Let your every creature serve you;

for you spoke, and they were made,

you sent forth your spirit, and they were created;

no one can resist your word.

The mountains to their bases, and the seas, are shaken;

the rocks, like wax, melt before your glance.

But to those who fear you,

you are very merciful.

Glory to the Father….

Word of God. Hebrews 6:11-12

We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

For me they listened and waited. (Jb 29:21)

Canticle of Zechariah

Be patient, therefore, until the coming of the Lord. (cf. Jas 5:7)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet

of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father…

Intercessions

For the fulfillment of our Advent waiting, we pray:

R/Reward your people’s patience, Lord.

The people of the Sinai covenant await your coming in faith:

– may they recognize your Son and rejoice when he returns in glory. R/

Those who have longed for the gift of faith and have not received it await you:

– grant them the joy of recognizing you in the celebration of this season. R/

Those whose loved ones have lost the path of faith yearn with love for their conversion:

– reunite in your worship broken households of faith. R/

(Personal intentions)

Our Father….

O God of promise and fulfillment, you sent your Son as the long-desired Messiah. Awaken our world to his presence, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.