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We light three Candles on the Advent Wreath. Signing our lips with a small sign of the Cross we 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 celebrate 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, from 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.
Psalm 24/25
Refrain
To You, O LOVE, I lift my soul; to You I lift my soul.
O Holy One, make me know your ways,
teach me your paths,
steer me toward your truth and teach me,
for you are my salvation;
you are my constant hope. (Refrain)
For you are good and just,
happy to guide those who miss their way.
You lead those who are humble toward wisdom,
and teach your ways to the poor. (Refrain)
Your ways are loving and sure
for those who love your truth.
For all who revere your word
are guided in every choice. (Refrain)
Then we would live with abundance
and our children would flourish on Earth.
Your friendship is offered to all;
your kindness to every generation. (Refrain)
Refrain by Marty Haugen; (c) GIA Publications, 1982.
READING: Numbers 24: 15-17a
The oracle of Balaam, the son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye is opened, the oracle of one who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who see the vision of the almighty, lying prostrate but with eyes uncovered:
I see Adonai, but not now; I behold, but not nearby:
a Star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall arise out of Israel.
Responsory:
R. God arose to judge * to save the humble of the Earth.
V. You, Adonai, are resplendent more majestic that the everlasting mountains.
* to save the humble of the Earth.
Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
The Gospel Canticle is preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast celebrated that day.
Antiphon
Behold, now I send my messenger to prepare my way before me.
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 will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel 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
Behold, now I send my messenger to prepare my way before me.
Litany of Intercession
Lord Jesus, light for those who wait in darkness; Lord, have mercy.
~Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, joyous song for those who have no voice; Christ, have mercy.
~Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, dance of freedom for those paralyzed by fear;
Lord, have mercy. ~Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, healing balm for all who suffer from illness or injury;
Christ, have mercy. ~Christ have mercy.
Lord Jesus, consoling embrace for those who grieve the death of loved ones;
Lord, have mercy. ~Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, strength of all who struggle for justice;
Christ, have mercy. ~Christ have mercy.
Prayer of Jesus
Lord Jesus, you taught us to pray…
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Stir up your joy in our hearts, O God of Gladness!
May we bring the light of your presence and the warmth of your love to a world freezing in darkness and fear. For yours is the glory and power of Love, now and forever. Amen.
May the Holy ONE who makes joy to rain down from the heights
+ shower this Earth with justice and peace. Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.