The Third Sunday of Advent

LANDS OF THE EAST, ARISE

Sunday 13th December 2026 — Advent 3b

  • Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun — A&M 691; HOAN 277
  • In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful — A&M 334; HOAN 250
  • The Gospel reading: John 1:6–8, 19–28
    (click for link to both parts of the reading)
  • Bless the Lord, the God of Israel — A&M 392
  • The Old Testament reading: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
    (click for link to both parts of the reading)
  • Intercessions (see below for suggested outline)
  • O For A Thousand Tongues vv 1-2, 4 & 6 — A&M 742; HOAN 362
  • The Eucharistic prayer with Sanctus (said or sung)
  • The Agnus Dei (said or sung)
  • Hymn during communion: People, Look East — A&M 47
  • Hills of the North, Rejoice — A&M 39; HOAN 209
261213 service slidesDownload

Suggested Outline for Intercessions

Lands of the East, arise,
he is your brightest morn,
greet him with joyous eyes,
praise shall his path adorn:
Your seers have longed to know their Lord;
to you he comes, the final word.

Let us pray to the living God, watching for the light of Christ and rejoicing in the one for whom the world has longed.

God of light, keep your Church awake to the coming of Christ. Give us eyes to recognise him among us, voices to bear witness to his light, and lives which announce good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed.

Silence

Open our eyes to your light:
and fill our hearts with joy.

God of justice, we pray for the nations of the world and all who exercise power. Where people live in darkness through violence, poverty or oppression, let justice spring up and ruined places be restored.

Silence

Open our eyes to your light:
and fill our hearts with joy.

God of love, we pray for our families, friends and communities. Make us attentive to your presence in one another, ready to recognise goodness, to speak words of hope and to greet one another with joyous eyes.

Silence

Open our eyes to your light:
and fill our hearts with joy.

God of compassion, we remember those whose lives are overshadowed by illness, anxiety, grief or despair. Bind up the broken-hearted, comfort those who mourn, and bring liberty to those who feel imprisoned by circumstance.

Silence

Open our eyes to your light:
and fill our hearts with joy.

God of eternity, we remember those who have died. Receive them into that morning which has no evening, where longing becomes fulfilment and your light is seen without end.

Silence

Open our eyes to your light:
and fill our hearts with joy.

God of promise, your people have longed through generations to know their Lord. We praise you that in Christ you come among us, the light for which we watch, the joy for which we hope, and your final Word of love.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lands of the East, arise,
he is your brightest morn,
greet him with joyous eyes,
praise shall his path adorn:
Your seers have longed to know their Lord;
to you he comes, the final word.