Learning the Faith by Heart
Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together
From Dec 15 – Dec 22, 2024
The Third Week of Advent/Preparing for the Nativity of Our Lord
Hymn of the Week: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357)
Psalmody for Matins: 85:1-9 (Mon); 80:1-7 (Thurs)
GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: Baptized into Your Name Most Holy (LSB 590, ss 1,4)
GLCA Catechism/Bible Verse Memory: Confession (LSB, pg. 326)
What Is Confession? – Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.
What sins should we confess? – Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.
Prophecies of Christ from Holy Scripture
Family members may take turns reading the Scripture for each day.
December 15: “[His] coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
December 16: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph. 3:17).
Hymn for Advent Week Three
3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
(LSB 357:1, 7, 3)
The O Antiphons of Advent begin (see LSB 357)
Around the ninth century or so, the tradition developed for the Church to voice her Advent longing with prayers addressed to Christ using titles for Him given to us in the book of Isaiah. These prayers, called antiphons, would be said or sung before and after their singing of the Magnificat – Mary’s Advent song of joyous hope that we still sing in Evening Prayer. Beginning on Dec. 17, each night had its own special antiphon. Eventually these antiphons would become the basis of the hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (LSB 357). These antiphons will be the basis of our daily prayers this week. The Antiphon for Saturday, December 17th is also provided.
December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
Scripture: Isaiah 11:2-3a
Prayer: O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 2)
December 18: O Adonai (O Adonai, “O Mighty Lord”)
Scripture: Isaiah 11:3b-5
Prayer: O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 3)
December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1,10
Prayer: O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 4)
December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
Scripture: Isaiah 22:22
Prayer: O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 5)
December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring)
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-2
Prayer: O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 6)
December 22: O Rex gentium (O King of Nations)
Scripture: Isaiah 28:16-17
Prayer: O King of Nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom you formed out of the clay.
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357, verse 7)