Liturgical Information
The Second Sunday of Advent (C)

Themes & Motives: majesty, power, mercy, glory, promise, reform, splendor, royal lineage of Christ, preparation

Introit:
People of Zion, the Lord will come to save all nations, and your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice.  based on Isaiah 30:19,30 [Roman Missal (Sacramentary)]

Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veniet ad salvandas gentes: et auditam faciet Dominus gloriam vocis suae, in laetitia cordis vestri.
Ps.Qui regis Israel, intende: qui deducis velut ovem Ioseph. [Graduale Romanum, p.18]

Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veniet ad salvandas gentes: et auditam faciet Dominus gloriam vocis suae, in laetitia cordis vestri.
Ps.Qui regis Israel, intende: qui deducis velut ovem Ioseph. [Gregorian Missal, p.169]

Choose one Antiphona ad introitum and Psalmus from either of the two Masses for Advent [Graduale simplex, pp.53-63]

Opening Prayer:
God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him when he comes in glory,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lectionary Readings:

• Baruch 5:1-9 [Jerusalem, God will show your splendor. /v.3]
• Psalm 126:1-2 / 2-3 / 4-5 / 6 [R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. /v.3]
• Philippians 1:4-6,8-11 [Be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ. /v.10]
• Gospel Verse: Luke 3:4,6 [Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.]
• Luke 3:1-6 [And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. /v.6]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
we are nothing without you.
As you sustain us with your mercy,
receive our prayers and offerings.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Advent I: [The Two Comings of Christ]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When he humbled himself to come among us as a man,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.

Now we watch for the day,
hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours
when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights, and see the joy that is coming to you from God.  Baruch 5:5; 4:36 [Roman Missal (Sacramentary)]

Ierusalem surge, et sta in excelso: et vide iucunditatem, quae veniet tibi a Deo tuo.  Baruch 5:5; 4:36 [Graduale Romanum, p.515]
     Psalm 147:12,13,14,15,17,18,20 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Ierusalem surge, et sta in excelso: et vide iucunditatem, quae veniet tibi a Deo tuo.  Psalm 85:13 [Gregorian Missal, p.595]

Choose one Antiphona ad communionem and Psalmus from either of the two Masses for Advent [Graduale simplex, pp.53-63]

Prayer after Communion:
Father,
you give us food from heaven.
By our sharing in this mystery,
teach us to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the People:
Lord,
have mercy on your people.
Grant us in this life the good things
that lead us to the everlasting life you prepare for us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.