Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent! We pray that these scripture readings and song will help you to reflect on the love of Christ this Christmas.
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (ESV)
“[4] “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”
New Testament Readings:
John 3:16 (ESV)
“[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 3:16 (ESV)
“[16] By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
Song: Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
(Refrain)
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
God the Father Creator, he
Made the world and all we see.
Love before creation’s start,
Planned redemption in his heart.
Jesus Lamb of God has come
Son of Man and God the Son
Died to Wash our sins away
Rose again on the third day.
The Spirit is the Comforter
Guiding us while on this earth
Opens hearts to God’s good love
Seals us for our home above.
Jesus loves me, he will keep
Like a Shepherd all his sheep.
The Father gave them to his hand,
Never to be lost again.
Father, Son, and Spirit we
Praise the Holy Trinity!
Gracious, loving, just, and kind
I am his and he is mine.
Jesus will come back someday
And in triumph he will say,
“Sin is over, death is done,
Sing for joy my kingdom’s come.”
Words: First stanza and refrain Anna B. Warner 1820-1915, stanzas 2-6 Shaphan and Elizabeth Helms 1990-