This is the second Sunday of Advent.

The lesson comes from Romans chapter 15, verses 4 through 13.

Brethren, whatever things have been written, have been written for our instruction,

that through the patience and the consolation afforded by the Scriptures we may have hope.

May then the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind toward one another according to Jesus Christ.

But one in spirit, you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive one another even as Christ has received you to the honor of God.

For I say that Christ Jesus has been a minister of the circumcision in order to show

God's fidelity in confirming the promises made to our fathers.

But that the Gentiles glorify God because of His mercy as it is written,

therefore will I praise you among the Gentiles and will sing to your name. And again, he says,

rejoice you Gentiles with his people. And again, praise the Lord are you Gentiles, and sing his

praises are you peoples. And again, Isaiah says, there shall be the root of Jesse, and he who shall

arise to rule the Gentiles, and him the Gentiles shall hope.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and believing, that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Continuation of the Gospel, according to St. Matthew, chapter 11, verses 2 through 10.

At that time, when John had heard in prison of the works of Christ,

he sent two of his disciples to say to him,

Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?

And Jesus, answering, said to them,

Go and report to John what you have heard and seen. The blind sea, the lame walk,

the lepers are cleansed, the deaf here, the dead rise, the poor have the gospel preach to them,

...