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Ephesians 3:16-21 New Revised Standard Version 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Isaiah 60:1-6 New Revised Standard Version The Ingathering of the Dispersed 60 Arise, shine; for your light has come,     and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth,     and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you,     and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light,     and kings to the brightness of your dawn.  4 Lift up your eyes and look around;     they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away,     and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant;     your heart shall thrill and rejoice,[a] because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,     the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,     the young camels of Midian and Ephah;     all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense,     and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:15-20 New Revised Standard Version 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 1:46-56 New Revised Standard Version Mary’s Song of Praise 46 And Mary[a] said,  “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.     Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,     and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him     from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm;     he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,     and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things,     and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,     in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,     to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”  56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

The Third Sunday of Advent