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Saint Anna with Theotokos and Christ Child
Kathleen Anderson (1990)
We light the First Candle 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.
We celebrate this great feast of the Mother of God;
let us adore Christ her Son.
ADVENT MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of an Advent Marian Hymn–
Not the foremost of her gender, Not the finest of her race; Favored now in reputation, Flound’ring then in deep disgrace. THOUGH FOR HER NO RIGHTS OR ROOM, THERE IS PROMISE IN THE WOMAN: THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WOMB.
Cowed and occupied her country, Dented was her people’s pride: Such a girl in such a nation, Could have been a soldier’s bride. THOUGH FOR HER NO RIGHTS OR ROOM, THERE IS PROMISE IN THE WOMAN: THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WOMB.
Forced to make a tiresome journey, Flanked by her redundant groom; All the brightness in her body Longs to endless the godless gloom.THOUGH FOR HER NO RIGHTS OR ROOM, THERE IS PROMISE IN THE WOMAN: THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WOMB.
All the pow’r of heav’n contracted, Gathers in this mother’s pain: God, confounding expectations, Sows her seed against the grain. THOUGH FOR HER NO RIGHTS OR ROOM, THERE IS PROMISE IN THE WOMAN: THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WOMB.
John Bell. (C) Iona Community 1992.
PSALMODY
This Antiphon from the Book of Judith is often sung on feasts of Mary
You are the glory of Jerusalem; you are the joy of Israel;
you are the honor of our people, alleluia!
Psalm 145/146
My soul, sing praise to Adonai
I will praise Adonai all my days;
make music to my God while I live.
Never depend on rulers:
born of earth, the cannot save.
They die and turn to dust.
and all their plans simply crumble.
They are wise who depend on God,
who look to the Adonai of Jacob,
creator of heaven and earth
maker of the teeming sea.
Adonai keeps faith forever,
and is just to all who are oppressed,
the One who gives bread to the hungry
and sets all the prisoners free.
Adonai gives sight to the blind,
raises those whose bodies are bent,
protects refugees and strangers,
upholds and comforts widows and orphans.
Adonai is One who loves the just
and blocks the path of the wicked.
Adonai will reign forever
Sion’s God from one generation to the next.
Glory to the ONE through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before, so now and evermore. Amen
You are the glory of Jerusalem; you are the joy of Israel;
you are the honor of our people, alleluia!
READING: Isaiah 43:1
Hear this, says Adonai, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.
Responsory:
R. God the Mighty has gird me with strength, * alleluia, alleluia!
V. Adonai has made my way blameless. * alleluia, alleluia!
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:
She comes forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon and bright as the sun.
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
She comes forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon and bright as the sun.
Intercessory Prayer
Lord Jesus, descendant of Adam and Eve, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, our brother, child of Mary, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, only-begotten Word of the Holy One, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Dear Abba …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Gracious God, you showed great favor to the humble and strong Mary of Nazareth and asked her to bring your eternal Word into the world. May we follow her example and open our hearts, minds and bodies to carry your liberating word. For this world still longs for the poor to be lifted up, the hungry to be filled with good things and those who are blinded by wealth to be freed from self-centeredness and greed. We ask this through the same Incarnate Word, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
May the One who makes justice to rain down from the heights, + shower us and all on Earth with compassion and peace. Amen.
Let us bless Adonai! ~Thanks be to God.