Second Sunday in Advent

Collect (prayer) for the Second Sunday in Advent (from the Book of Common Prayer):

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Papa Rooster's commentary for our church bulletin:

If we are to be ready for the Lord’s coming, we must heed the prophet’s warnings and forsake our sins, as we pray in this morning’s Collect. The call to repent sometimes seems harsh because we are fond of our sins! But the purpose of repentance is to bring mercy and comfort. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, but the Lord is patient, not willing that any should perish. His wish is that we repent and grow in grace. John the precursor, the one who “prepares the way” for such comfort, tells us that Christ alone can give it. John says that Jesus is more powerful than him because He will baptize with the Spirit. The Church knows the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin. She also knows Him as the Comforter.