Podcast: Play in new window | Download
December 11 – Pope Damasus (305-384)
Light two Candles on the Advent Wreath; Sign your lips with a small sign of the Cross & say or sing:
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Blest is the One who comes in the NAME of our God
~Hosanna in the highest!
ADVENT MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of an Advent Morning Hymn—Hills of the North, Rejoice celebrates the participation of all creation in the Mystery we enter during the Advent Season.
Hills of the north, rejoice, River and mountain spring,
Hear now the advent voice, Valley and lowland sing:
Though absent long, Your Lord is near, And soon in triumph will appear.
Isles of the southern sea, Deep in your coral caves,
Stilled be each warring breeze, Lulled by your restless waves:
One comes to reign with boundless sway, And wastelands make the great highway.
Lands of the east, awake, Soon you shall be set free;
Sleep of the ages break, Rising in liberty:
On your far hills, long cold and grey, Has dawned the everlasting day.
Shores of the far-most west, You that have waited long,
You that have been so blest, Break out in surging song:
Raise high the note that Christ has died, Yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.
Shout while you journey home, Song be in every mouth;
See, form the north we come, From east and west and south:
For LOVE our God has set us free, We come to live eternally.
Text: Charles E. Oakley, 1832-1865; adapt. Tune: DARWALLS’s 148th; John Darwall, 1731-89.
PSALMODY
An Advent Antiphon may be sung with the Morning Psalm of the day.
Our God comes, and keeps silence no longer.
Psalm 49/50: 1-15
The Holy One, greater than all gods,
summons Earth from east to west,
makes light shine from the Dwelling Place:
Perfect Beauty beyond compare!
Our God comes, and keeps silence no longer.
God is no longer silent
but comes in fire and storm
to summon both Earth and heaven
as witnesses for our trial.
“Gather the faithful before me,
who sealed my covenant with sacrifice.”
The heavens will stand and testify
that the Holy One, our Judge, is just.
“Listen my people, hear what I say,
I, your Judge, indict you.
I lay the charge before you.”
“Despite your offering of sacrifice,
despite your daily gifts,
I have no need of your oxen
nor goats from among your herds.
“I know all the beasts of the forest,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the mountain birds,
and every creature that moves in the fields.
Instead of sacrifice give thanks,
keep the promise of your word.
Call out to me when in trouble,
when I free you, sing my praise.”
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Our God comes, and keeps silence no longer.
READING: Baruch 3:9, 13-14
Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom! If you had walked in the way of God, you would be living in peace forever. Learn where wisdom is, where strength is, where understanding is; so you may at the same time discern where there is length of days and life, where there is light for the eyes and peace.
Responsory:
R. Come, let us go to the mountain of Adonai, to the house of the God of Jacob,
*that we may learn God’s ways and thus may walk the right paths.
V. I was glad when I heard them say: let us go to God’s house. *that we may learn God’s ways and thus may walk the right paths.
Gospel Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
Gospel Antiphon:
You do not know when the master of the house will come:
at dusk, at midnight or at early dawn.
Do not let him find you asleep. Be on your guard!
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun has shown upon us
Illumines the darkness and dispels death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
You do not know when the master of the house will come:
at dusk, at midnight or at early dawn.
Do not let him find you asleep. Be on your guard!
Intercessory Prayer
Lord Jesus, our light in days of darkness, Lord, have mercy.
~ Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, our hope in times of struggle, Christ, have mercy.
~ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, our promise from God on high, Lord, have mercy.
~ Lord, have mercy.
Our Dear Abba …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Prepare us, O God of Love, for the coming of Jesus Christ.
May he find us waiting in expectant prayer for the full revelation of the children of God, and the flourishing of all creation. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
May God bless us and keep us.
May God’s Face shine on us.
May God give us Grace and peace.
~ Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~Thanks be to God.