Sunday 12 December 2027

Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

First Reading - Zephaniah 3.14-20

A reading from the book of the prophet Zephaniah. Sing aloud, O Zion! Rejoice with all your heart, O Jerusalem! For the Lord has taken away the judgements made against you. The Lord has turned away your enemies. No more harm will come to you. Stay strong, and do not fear; for the Lord your God is with you as a mighty saviour. The Lord says, ‘I will delight in you, and sing, and rejoice. I will hold you in my constant love. I will free you from all your oppressors. I will rescue the lame, and gather in all who were driven away. I will gather you together and bring you home. And instead of shame, you will have praise, and honour, in all the earth.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Philippians 4.4-7

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians. Rejoice in the Lord - always! I say again, rejoice! And let your gracious gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near, so do not worry about anything. But in everything, with prayer, and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 3.7-18

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. When the crowds came to the Jordan to be baptised by John, John addressed them, saying: ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the judgement that is coming? Bear fruit that is worthy of repentance! And do not begin to say, “but we have Abraham as our father”, for I tell you, God could turn these stones into children of Abraham! The axe is ready, and any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire!’ The crowds asked John, ‘What should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with whoever has none. And whoever has food must do likewise.’ Tax collectors came to be baptised, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect only what you have been ordered to collect.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money using threats, and false accusations, but be content with what you are paid.’ The people were filled with expectation, wondering whether John might even be the Messiah. John answered them, saying, ‘I baptise you with water, but after me comes another who is more powerful; and I am not worthy even to be his servant. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire, and he will separate the wheat from the chaff.’ With these, and many other words and challenges, John proclaimed the good news to the people. This is the Gospel of the Lord.