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December 14 – John of the Cross, 1540-1591
We light three Candles on the Advent Wreath. 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—
O quickly, come, great Judge of all; For glorious will your coming be
All shadows from the truth will fall. O come and heal that we may see!
O quickly, come! for doubt and fear Dissolve like clouds when you are near.
O quickly, come, true life of all; Death’s mighty powers do still abound;
In every place greed’s shadows fall, On every heart pride’s mark is found:
O quickly, come! for grief and pain Shall never cloud your marvelous reign.
O quickly, come, O come and save! Reign all around us and within.
Let sin no more our souls enslave, Let pain and sorrow die with sin:
O quickly come! for you alone Can make your scattered people one.
Text: Lawrence Tuttiette, 1825-1897, alt. Tune: THE DAILY FEAST
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Awake, awake, arise O Jerusalem!
Loose the chains from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!
Canticle of Isaiah 33:13-16
Hear, you who are far off,
what I have done;
you who are near,
acknowledge my might.
On Zion sinners are in dread,
trembling grips the impious and arrogant:
“Who of us can live with the consuming fire?
who of us can live with the everlasting flames?”
Those who practice virtue and speak honestly,
who spurn what is gained by oppression,
Brushing their hands free of contact with a bribe,
stopping their ears lest they hear of bloodshed,
closing their eyes lest they look on evil-
They shall dwell on the heights,
their stronghold shall be the rocky fastness,
their food and drink in steady supply.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love,
as always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
Awake, awake, arise O Jerusalem!
Loose the chains from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!
READING: Isaiah 45: 21-23
Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!
By myself I swear, uttering my just decree
and my unalterable word:
To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear,
Saying, “Only in the LORD are just deeds and power.
Responsory:
R. Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. *Say to the towns of Judah: “Here is your God!” V. Lift up your voice and shout, lift it up fearlessly *Say to the towns of Judah: “Here is your God!” V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
The Savior of the world will arise like the sun;
and as mysteriously as the dew will descend to the Virgin’s womb, Alleluia!
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
The Savior of the world will arise like the sun;
and as mysteriously as the dew will descend to the Virgin’s womb, Alleluia!
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.