ADVENT III Thursday

 

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

Awake, awake: fling off the night!

For God has sent us glorious light;

And we who live in Christ’s new day

Must works of darkness put away.

 

Let in the light; all sin expose

To Christ, whose life no darkness knows.

Before his cross for guidance kneel;

His light will judge and, judging, heal.

 

Awake, and rise up from the dead,

And Christ his light on you will shed.

Its powers will wrong desires destroy,

And your whole nature fill with joy.

 

Then sing for joy, and use each day;

Give thanks in what you do and say.

Lift up your hearts; with one accord

Praise God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 Text: JR Peacey (1896-1971) Tune: GRENOBLE LM

  

PSALMODY

Those who wish may sing alternate verses with the cantor.

Antiphon

Arise! Arise!

Put on strength, O Arm of our God!

Psalm 79/80

O God, the nations have invaded your land,

they have profaned your holy temple.
They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
They have handed over the bodies of your servants
as food to feed the birds of heaven
and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

 

They have poured out blood like water in Jerusalem;

no one is left to bury the dead.
We have become the taunt of our neighbors,
the mockery and scorn of those who surround us.
How long, Adonai? Will you reject us for ever;
how long will it seem your anger burns like fire?

 

Let your compassion hasten to meet us;
we are left in the depths of distress.
O God our savior, come to our help.
Come for the sake of the glory of your name.
Adonai our God, forgive our sins;
rescue us for the sake of your name.

 

Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?”

Let us see the nations around us repaid

for the blood of your servants that was shed!
Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die.

 

But we, your people, the flock of your pasture,

will give you thanks for ever and ever.
We will tell your praise from age to age.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

and to the BREATH of Love!

As always before, 

so now and evermore.  Amen

Arise! Arise!

Put on strength, O Arm of our God!

 

 

Reading:  Isaiah 32:15; 33:6

In those days the Spirit from on high
will be poured out on us.
Then will the desert become an orchard
and the orchard be regarded as a forest.
Right will dwell in the desert
and Justice abide in the orchard.
Justice will bring about peace;
right will produce calm and security.

My people will live in peaceful country,
in secure dwellings and quiet resting places.
Happy are you who sow beside every stream,
and let the ox and the ass go freely!

 

O Adonai, have pity on us, for you we wait.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of trouble!

 

Responsory: 

R. Shine forth from your Cherubim throne, *rouse up your might and come!

V. Let your Face shine on us and we shall be saved *rouse up your might and come!

V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Holy Breath of Love.

 

 

Gospel Canticle of Zachary                                                                        Luke 1:68-79

Stand as you are able. The Gospel Canticle is preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast or Gospel of that day. 

 Antiphon:

What did you go out in the desert to see? Of John scripture says:

‘Behold, now I send my messenger to prepare the 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

What did you go out in the desert to see? Of John scripture says:

‘Behold, now I send my messenger to prepare the way before me.’ 

 

 

Litany of Intercession

 

Ruler, most just and righteous,
– Bring justice to the poor and the oppressed.

 

Prince of peace, you beat swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks,
– Turn hatred into love and our grievances into forgiveness.

 

You do not judge by appearances,
 Read our hearts and strengthen our resolve.

 

When you come with power and might upon the clouds,
Grant that we may stand before you without shame.

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Dear Abba …

 

 

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 Adonai.

~ Thanks be to God.