Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent – 14th December 2025

Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you; grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 35, verses 1 to 10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the

crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon

shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

A reading from the letter of James, chapter 5, verses 7 to 10

Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for

the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late

rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged.

See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers

and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

A reading from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 2 to 11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and

said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Second Collect

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of

your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is

alive and reigns now and for ever.

Amen