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(c) 2010, Linda Witte Henke (www.lindahenke.com). All rights reserved.
Posted here with permission of the artist.
We light four Candles on the Advent Wreath. Signing our lips with 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—such as
O Savior open heaven wide; And once again this Adventide,
Unbar the portals, Christ, we pray, That hold you back from us today.
Awake O Earth, break forth in Spring! To crown this great awakening,
Bloom once again, O Flow’r divine And brightest Son of Jesse’s line.
Then praise and homage we will bring To you our Savior, God and King;
And we will bless you, and adore forever and for evermore.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Do not be afraid. Your Savior will come to you within five days.
Psalm 128/129
“They have pressed me hard from my youth,”
this is Israel’s song;
“They have pressed me hard from my youth,
but could never destroy me.
They plowed my back like plowmen,
drawing long furrows,
but Adonai who is just has destroyed
the yoke of the wicked.
Let them be shamed and routed,
those who hate Zion!
Let them be like grass on the roof
that withers before it flowers.
With that no reaper fills her arms
no binder makes his sheaves,
and those passing by will not say:
‘On you the blessing of Adonai!
We bless you in the Name of our God!'”
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Do not be afraid. Your Savior will come to you within five days.
READING Isaiah 7: 14-15
Adonai will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel for God is with us! Curds and honey* he will eat so that he may learn to reject evil and choose good;for before the child learns to reject evil and choose good, the lands of the kings whom you dread shall be deserted.
Responsory
R. Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, O Earth, * you mountains break into songs of triumph. V. For Adonai has comforted this people, and has had pity on these chosen in their distress. * you mountains break into songs of triumph. V. Glory to the Abba and to the Word and to the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
Canticle may be preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast celebrated that day.
Gospel Antiphon:
The Sun of Justice, will arise with healing in his wings.
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 on 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 Sun of Justice, will arise with healing in his wings.
Intercessory Prayer
Let us call out to the One who longs to be with us: ~Come Lord Jesus
To those in darkness who are waiting for the return of light, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those left out in the cold who are waiting for heat and warmth, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those strangers and immigrants, who are waiting
for hospitality and welcome, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those sick or injured who are waiting for care, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those in prisons or nursing homes who are waiting for visitors, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those trafficked or enslaved who are waiting for freedom, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those marginalized and oppressed who are waiting for justice, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those caught up in consumerism who are waiting for simplicity, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those surrounded by noise who are waiting for silence, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those saddened by loss or death who are waiting for joy, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those nearing the end who are waiting for death, ~Come Lord Jesus
For all of these, we pray the words that you gave us:
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Creator and Redeemer of humankind, be with us on this shortest day of the year as our Earth reaches the winter solstice and the Sun begins its journey to the North once again. May Earth’s journey through cold and darkness prepare us to welcome the Dawning Day and Sun of Justice, and share his light and life with a world that dwells in the shadow of death, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
May the Sun of Justice and love of the + Holy ONE
illumine our hearts and our minds with the gift of Jesus-Emmanuel. Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.