SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PRAYER
STIR up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Epistle. Rom. xv. 4-13.
BRETHREN:—Whatever things were written, were written for our instruction; that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, we may have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one toward another, according to Jesus Christ: that unanimously with one mouth ye may honor God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to the glory of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers. But that the Gentiles glorify God for mercy, as it written: Therefore will I praise Thee among the Gentiles, O Lord, and will sing to Thy name. and again He saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and glorify Him, all ye people. And again Isaias said: There shall be a root of Jesse, and He who shall rise up to rule the Gentiles,
