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(c) 2010, Linda Witte Henke (www.lindahenke.com). All rights reserved.
Posted here with permission of the artist.
* Rorate Caeli de super et nubes pluant Justum;
Aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.
Light all Four Candles on the Advent Wreath and 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—such as
Our King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks.
When beauty gilds the eastern sky and life to joy awakes.
Our Light shall come when morning dawns and earth’s dark night is past;
O haste the rising of that morn whose day shall ever last.
Our Life shall come when morning dawns as weary saints foretold:
When love shall triumph over hate and truth will be extolled.
PSALMODY
Psalm 26/27a
Antiphon
Eagerly do I await the Lord, my Savior, and look for him, for he is near.
Adonai is my light and my help,
whom should I fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life,
before whom should I tremble?
When the violent draw near
to eat me alive,
the mob eager to kill
will stumble and fall.
Should battalions lay siege around me,
my heart would not fear;
should war break out against me,
even then would I trust.
There is one thing I ask of Adonai,
this one thing do I seek:
to live in the house of God
every day of my life,
caught up in God’s splendor and beauty–
at prayer in the temple.
Adonai will hide me there,
hide my life from attack:
a sheltering tent around me,
a firm rock below.
I am now beyond the reach
of those who lay siege around me.
and I will offer a sacrifice of joy,
I will play and sing praise to God.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Eagerly do I await the Lord, my Savior, and look for him, for he is near.
Psalm 26/27b
Antiphon
The Lord will rise in your midst, O Jerusalem, and God’s glory will appear in you.
Adonai, hear my voice when I call;
have mercy and answer.
Of you my heart has spoken:
Seek the face of God!
It is your face, Adonai, that I seek;
hide not your face.
Dismiss not your servant as I deserve,
Instead, give me your help.
Do not abandon or forsake me,
O God, my Savior!
Even if my parents reject me,
Adonai will take me in.
Teach me how to live,
lead me on the right path.
When they lie in ambush protect me
away from my enemies’ greed.
False witnesses rise up against me,
liars breathing their violence.
I am sure I shall see how good God is
while I am still alive!
Trust in God and be strong!
Be brave and hope in Adonai!
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The Lord will rise in your midst, O Jerusalem, and God’s is glory will appear in you.
Psalm 96/97
Antiphon
The glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all humankind will see the salvation of our God.
Adonai reigns! Let Earth rejoice,
let all the coastlands be glad.
God is wrapped in the thunderclouds,
enthroned on justice and right.
Fire marches on ahead
burning up all resistance;
Overhead God’s lightening flashes,
Earth trembles to see it.
Mountains melt like wax
before Adonai, who rules over all.
The skies proclaim this justice–
a glory all people can see.
Those who serve mammon are fools,
they brag about their worthless gods.
All spirits, worship Adonai!
Zion hears and is glad.
The cities of Judah rejoice
because of your judgment Adonai.
For you, Adonai, are Most High
in majesty high above the Earth
far higher than any other god.
Those who love Adonai, hate evil;
God shields their faithful lives
and breaks the grip of the oppressor.
Light will shine down on the just
and joy on the loyal hearts.
Rejoice in Adonai, O you just;
give glory to this Holy Name!
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all humankind will see the salvation of our God.
READING ISAIAH 45: 8
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let Earth open up and salvation bud forth and justice spring up and flourish!
Responsory
R. You heavens, open from above, that clouds may rain the Just One.
CANTICLE OF ZACHARY– LUKE 1:68-79
Antiphon
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
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 through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Litany of Intercession
Lord Jesus, Son of David, shepherd and king, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, Son of Mary, virgin and mother, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, Son of Earth, blossoming of justice,
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Creator and Redeemer of humankind, your eternal Word took flesh on Earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory, and open our hearts to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through the same Incarnate Word, Jesus Emmanuel. Amen.
May the Holy ONE who makes justice to rain down from the heavens +
shower this Earth with justice and peace. Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.
*The opening chant, a paraphrase of Isaiah 45:8, has been the “official” Entrance Antiphon for the Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Advent since the early 7th century. The translation: Drop down dew, you heavens, from above; let clouds rain down the Just One! Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior!