It Is Well with My Soul: The Sacred Roots Annual 2022-2023

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T he S eason of A dvent

WEEK 4 F ourth S unday of A dvent : A rrival December 18 - 24, 2022

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Advent joyously affirms the First and Second comings of our Lord. Through the prophets, God foretold the Messiah’s appearing to his people, Israel. Through the angels, he announced his birth to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. Let us reverently ponder the sure promise of God – the Deliverer will come and ransom captive Israel and the world.

THIS WEEK’S THEME Emmanuel, God with Us, Matthew 1.18-25

When Joseph determined to quietly break his engagement with Mary (his betrothed wife) because of her pregnancy, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel reassured him that Mary’s pregnancy was caused by the Holy Spirit, and she would bear a son, and they would call him Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins. Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would bear a son and they would call his name Immanuel, meaning God with us. Joseph did as the angel commanded, took Mary as his wife, and when the baby was born, he called his name Jesus.

D aily D evotional G uide P reparing O ur H earts Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Almighty God, we give thee thanks for the mighty yearning of the human heart for the coming of a Saviour, and the constant promise of thy Word that he was to come. In our own souls we repeat the humble aspirations of ancient men and ages, and we acknowledge that our souls are in darkness and infirmity without faith in himwho comes to bring God to man and man to God. Out of our very sense of need our hearts answer from their wilderness, the cry, Prepare ye the way of the