THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PRAYER
O LORD, we beseech Thee, mercifully incline Thine ears unto our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy heavenly visitation. Who livest and reignest, etc. AMEN.
Epistle. Philipp. iv. 4-7.
BRETHREN:— Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men: the Lord is nigh. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And may the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel. John i. 19-28.
AT that time: — The Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed: I am not the Christ. And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No. They said therefore to him; Who art thou, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What sayest thou of thy-
