Advent 3C

Image: "With the Spirit and Fire,"
©Jan Richardson.

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Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Roman Catholic reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18

Isaiah 12:2-6
Episcopal reading (RCL): Canticle 9

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:7-18
Roman Catholic reading: Luke 3:10-18

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings from the New American Bible.
  • Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year C, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings..
  • Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
  • PCUSA - Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • John the Baptist
    • Links to general Advent images:
      • visitation
      • Mystical/Liturgical/Enthroned Madonna
      • last judgment
      • annunciation
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • John the Baptist Types
    • Prophecy
    • Judgment
    • Justice/Injustice
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Working Preacher commentary, Advent 3, WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Advent 3C. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. (Español)
  • Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2018.
  • Sermon Seeds, Kathryn Matthews Huey, SAMUEL, UCC, 2018.
  • The Adventurous Lectionary, Bruce Epperly, Living a Holy Adventure, 2018.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2018.
  • Ministry Matters.
  • Process and Faith, David Smith, 2018.
  • Starters for Sunday. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland, 2018.
  • This Week at PreachingIllustrations.com, 2018.
  • Social Justice Lectionary, Bruce Sweet, 2018.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2018.
  • Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS), 2018.
  • "Fleeing Wrath, Burning Rubble and Turning Around," D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
  • The Adventurous Lectionary, Advent 3C, Bruce Epperly, Living a Holy Adventure, 2012.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Advent 3, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2012.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Advent 3, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Jesus Now, Advent 3C. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Rumors, for December 13, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor." (Alternate lectionary texts.)
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • "The Third Sunday of Advent," Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Sermon Brainwave, Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org. 2018.
  • "The Time Is Now," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2018.
  • "What Should We Then Do?" Debie Thomas, Journey with Jesus, 2018.
  • Living by the Word, Austin Crenshaw Shelley, The Christian Century, 2018.
  • "Joy!" commentary and discussion at RevGalBlogPals, 2018. 11th Hour Preacher Party.
  • Creation Care Commentary, Lutherans Restoring Creation, 2018.
  • "One Sermon," Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2018.
  • "The Lord IS in Our Midst!" Connections, Next Sunday Resources, 2018.
  • Lectionary Ruminations, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2018.
  • A Provocation, Richard Swanson, provokingthegospel, 2018.
  • "Bells in a Foreign Land," sermonstories.com, 2018.<
  • peaceonjustice, Barbara Born, 2018.
  • Fred Horton Advent Commentary, 2018.
  • "A Baptism of Repentance," James Shenko, Politics of Scripture, 2018.
  • "From Downtown to the Desert:Voices from the Wilderness Call Out for Water Justice," Kim Redigan, Radical Discipleship, 2018.
  • A Plain Account, Wesleyan Commentary, 2018.
  • "Zephaniah 3:14-20: Reassembled," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
  • "The Song of the Redeemed," Glenn Monson, 2018.
  • "The Way Things Are Not How They Have To Be," Hannah Adams Ingram, Modern Metanoia, 2018.
  • Preaching Tip of the Week, Bob Eldan, preachingtip, 201I.
  • Richard Bryant, Food for Thought, 2018.
  • Insights with Seitz Podcast, Wycliffe College, 2018,
  • Radical Discipleship.Net, "The Wild Lectionary," curated by Laurel Dykstra.
  • Earthkeeper's Preaching, 2018.
  • Theology of Work, 2018.
  • Church Health Daily Devotions, Butch Odom, 2018.
  • "Draughting Theology," Steve Pankey, 2018. Daily reflections and study for Sunday.
  • Homily Week, 2018.
  • This Week at PreachingIllustrations.com, 2018.
  • The Reflectionary, images, reflections, activities, Fay Rowland, 2018.
  • Sunday Scripture Podcast, Joe Cate and friends, 2018.
  • Reading in Church & Other Distractions Podcast, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, 2018
  • LectioCast - Homebrewed Christianity, 2018.
  • "What I'm Thinking," Eric Anderson, You Tube, RSS, Playlist, 2018.
  • "Crackers & Grape Juice," 2018.
  • Pray As You Can, Reflections, commentary, prayer, poems, etc., Kym Harris, Diocese of Rockhampton, 2018
  • Lectio Divina Podcast, Todd Spencer, 2018.
  • HuffPost Religion, religion news and contemporary news in religious perspective. Always worth a read...
  • Unfolding Light, Daily Reflections leading toward Sunday readings, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, 2018.
  • Break Open the Word, Michael T. Hiller, 2018.
  • Lectionary Poetry, Scott Barton, 2018.
  • One Little Word, David J. Risendal, 2018
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bible, Andy Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, 2018.
  • The River of Life, Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog, 2018.
  • Sunday's Child, Daily Lectionary and Reflections on Scripture and World, Una Malachica, 2018.
  • Weekly Reflections on the Christian Faith (lectionary texts), conversations between Mark Smith and David Owen, England Public School Chaplains. 2018
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue, Wesley White, 2018.
  • Living the Lectionary, Daily RCL reflections, Pr. Phil Heinze, Fort Worth, TX, 2018.
  • The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2018.
  • SacraConversazione, discussion of the texts in terms of traditions of interpreters, from a postmodern perspective, 2018.
  • Lectionary Scripture Notes, Dr. Norman Beck, 2018.
  • "Advent Expectations," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
  • "Ordinary Saints," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
  • "Great Exhortations," commentary and discussion, RevGalBlogPals, 2015. 11th Hour Preacher Party.
  • "Brood of Vipers," Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2015.
  • "Wells, Fountains and the Waters of Childbirth," Beth Scibienski, 2015.
  • "Gaudete," Debie Thomas, The Journey with Jesus, 2015.
  • Stewards of Joy, Sharron R. Blezard, 2015.
  • "Advent as a Gathering In," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2015.
  • "Baptism with Fire: Now Who Shall We Be?" Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
  • "Deliverance and the Wrath to Come," Eric Smith, LECTIO, 2015.
  • "God Has No Grandchildren," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2015.
  • "In the Spirit," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2015. Podcast.
  • "Chop Down a Tree," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
  • "Season of Anxiety," Todd Edmondson, Ekklesia Project, 2015.
  • "Songs in the Night," Sermon-Stories, 2015.
  • "Good News and Wrath," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2015.
  • "The Politics of Righteousness," Stephen Dawson, Political Theology Today, 2015..
  • Peaceonjustice, Barbara Born, 2015.
  • "Draughting Theology," Steve Pankey, 2015. Daily reflections and study for Sunday.
  • "Even Yet Awake!," Thomas Beam, 2015.
  • Lectionary Ruminations, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2015.
  • "I The Stone," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2015.
  • "Advent Cougar," Larry Patten, 2015.
  • Liberating Lectionary, meditations from non-canonical texts, Jack Lohr, 2015.
  • "Good News, Despite Initial Appearances," Scott Barton, lectionary poetry, 2015.
  • Richard Bryant, Food for Thought, 2015.
  • Pray As You Can, Reflections, commentary, prayer, poems, etc., Kym Harris, Diocese of Rockhampton, 2015.
  • Lectio Divina Podcast, Todd Spencer, 2015.
  • "A Promise We're All Invited Into," David Lose, WorkingPreacher, 2012.
  • "This Is the Good News?" Debra Dean Murphy, Ekklesia Project, 2012.
  • "Condemnation or Warm Welcome?" Richard Mario Procida, Modern Lectionaries, 2012.
  • "Elemental Advent," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2012.
  • The Chaff Heap of History, Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2012.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012
  • "Practical Theology and Subversive Advent," Katie Munnik, Presbyterian Record, 2012.
  • "Our Viperish Needs at Advent," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2012.
  • "Gaudete," Michael Coffey, 2012.
  • "Let There Be Joy," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2012.
  • Traveling Advent to Epiphany, Advent3, reflections by Rachel M. Srubas, Faith Forward, 2012.
  • "The Sky at Night," Neil Chappell, a weird thing, 2012.
  • "Welcome to Our World," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2012.
  • Rejoice: A Baptism! Peter Lockhart, A Different Heresy, 2012.
  • "Good News? Ouch! That Hurts!" Peter Woods, i am listening, 2012. 2009.
  • "Hope When Hope is Scarce," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2012.
  • The Worship Closet, Amy Loving, 2012.
  • "A Winnowing Fork in Jesus' Hand: Good News for Today," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
  • Care for Creation Reflections, Dennis Ormseth, Lutherans Restoring Creation, 2012.
  • Sunday Scripture Podcast, Joe Cate and Friends, 2012.
  • "Laughter in holy places," Robert Stuhlmann, Stories from a Priestly Life, 2012.
  • The Politics of Luke 3:7-18, Timothy F. Simpson, Political Theology, 2012.
  • Lectionary Ruminations, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2012.
  • "Expectations," Larry Patten, 2012.
  • "The (Advent) Road," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections: Thoughts on Religion, Culture, and Politics, 2009.
  • "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy," Jenny Williams, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • "How Many Coats Does One Man Need?" by Ryan Ahlgrim.  A Sermon for Every Sunday.  Video sermons from America’s best preachers for every Sunday of the Liturgical Year.
  • "What Should We Do?" by Luke Powery.  A Sermon for Every Sunday.  Video sermons from America’s best preachers for every Sunday of the Liturgical Year.
  • "Peace amid Bedlam," Michael Brown, Day1, 2015.
  • "Trust," Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustrations.
  • "Getting There," Rev. Dr. Robert Baggott, Day 1, 2012.
  • Ministry Matters.
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2018.
  • "Repent, Ye Saints," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2009.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • "Collide with a Promise Kept," Weekly Seeds, UCC, 2018.
  • "Making Moral Choices in Video Games," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Virtual Lives," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2012. (Philippians 4:8-9)
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.