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(Suitable for Week 3) "Come, and make all things new!" ALL: Let us remember that we are in the presence of God who comes to save us! In the name of our god who is three in one, the creator, the redeemer and the sanctifier. AMEN! INTRODUCTION: Advent is both a beginning and an end, an alpha and an omega of the church’s year of grace. Too often considered merely a season of preparation for the annual commemoration of Christ’s birth, this rich and many-layered season is actually designed to prepare the Christian for the glorious possibilities of the Christ’s second coming. It is a season of longing expectation —‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ In longing expectation we pray ... PRAYER Creator of the stars of night, Your people’s everlasting light, O Christ, Redeemer of us all, We pray you hear us when we call. In sorrow that the ancient curse Should doom to death a universe, You came, O Saviour, to set free Your own in glorious liberty. Come, Sun and Saviour, to embrace Our gloomy world, its weary race, As groom to bride, as bride to groom: The wedding chamber, Mary’s womb. At your great Name, O Jesus, now All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; All things on earth with one accord, Like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord. Come in your holy might, we pray, Redeem us for eternal day; Defend us while we dwell below, From all assaults of our dread foe. [Evening Hymn for Advent, 8th Century] READINGS (May be done by various people) 1/ In the beginning, when God created the universe, the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water. Then God commanded, "Let there be light" -- and light appeared. [Genesis 1] 2/ Before the world was created, the Word already existed; He was with God, and He was the same as God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through Him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without Him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. [John 1:1-5] 3/ For centuries the world waited, waited in darkness for the Light to appear. For generations, holy men and women cried out to God in prayer for the coming of their Messiah. "How long, O Lord, must we wait? Have you forgotten us?" 4/ The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which He received as God’s only Son. Out of the fullness of His grace He has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. [John 1:14-16] THE "O" ANTIPHONS As the season of Advent begins, let us recall the long centuries during which humanity longed for the coming of their Saviour. Let us relive that expectation as we sing this ancient song of Advent. 1. Jesus is our Emmanuel, "God with us," promised when our first parents became exiles from God and captives of sin. Because we desire Him among us, we sing: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!" Sing: O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel! 2. Jesus is the Word and Wisdom of God for all eternity. We sing the praises of him who existed before the world began: "Come, O Wisdom!" Sing: O come now, Wisdom from on high, Who orders all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in your way to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. 3. The God of might appeared amid the flames of the burning bush on Mount Sinai. We ask God to make us worthy to enter the Promised Land. We call to God: "Come, O Lord of might!" Sing: O come, O come, our Lord of might, Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times did give the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. 4. Jesus is the Flower of Jesse’s root. No greater flower bloomed on the family tree of Jesse, King David’s father. Jesus would become the tree of life which brings us salvation, and so we pray: "Come, O Flower of Jesse’s stem!" Sing: O come now, flower of Jesse’s stem, From every foe deliver them That trust your mighty power to save, And give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. 5. Jesus is the Key of David. He came to unlock the prison of death and release us from the bonds of sin. We are grateful that He gave us freedom as we sing: "Come, O Key of David!" Sing: O come now, Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that sets us free, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. A REFLECTION How wonderful, O God, are your ways to us! You invite us to be pilgrims on your way, ever setting out afresh, in expectancy and joy, with nothing but a walking stick to carry. Be with us, God, as we travel the miles of our lives, with promises to keep, promises that spring from your call to each of us on our spiritual life journey. Walk with us, God, and guide our feet and our eyes and our hearts. All praise be to you God, who rules from sea to sea.
CLOSING PRAYER Br. Nick Morris (Rome) |
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