The collect for today, the Third Sunday in Advent, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):
O LORD Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
The Gospel: St. Matthew 11:2-10
Artwork: Moretto da Brescia, Christ in the wilderness blesses His cousin, St. John the Baptist, c. 1540. Oil on canvas, National Gallery, London.