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We light the First & Second Candles on the Advent Wreath.
Then 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.
Blest is the One who comes in the NAME of our God
~Hosanna in the highest!
ADVENT MORNING HYMN Sleepers, Wake! A Voice Astounds Us
“Sleepers Wake!” A voice astounds us, The shout of rampart guards surrounds us;
“Awake, Jerusalem, a rise!” Midnight’s peace their cry has broken, Their urgent summons clearly spoken: “The time has come, O maidens wise! Rise up, and give us light;
The Bridegroom is in sight, Alleluia! Your lamps prepare and hasten there,
That you the wedding feast may share.”
Zion hears the watchman singing; Her heart with joyful hope is springing,
She wakes and hurries through the night. Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious In strength of grace, in truth victorious; Her star is ris’n her light grows bright.
Now come, most worthy Lord, God’s Son, Incarnate Word, Alleluia!
We follow all and heed your call To come into the banquet hall.
Lamb of God, the heav’ns adore you; Let saints and angels sing before you,
As harps and cymbals swell the sound. Twelve great pearls, the city’s portals:
Through them we stream to join th’immortals As we with joy your throne surround.
No eye has known the sight, No ear heard such delight: Alleluia!
Therefore we sing to greet our King; forever let our praises ring.
Text: Wachet Auf
PSALMODY
Those who wish may sing alternate verses with the cantor.
Antiphon 1
Adonai, our Ruler, will come from heaven,
while holding in hand dominion and power.
Psalm 92/93
The Mighty One reigns, adorned in majesty;
Adonai is robed with strength
and girded with power.
You made the world firm, not to be moved
your reign established for all ages.
From eternity, Adonai, you are.
The waters celebrate your goodness
the waters lift up their voices,
the waters resound with thunder.
Greater than thunder of many storms,
more glorious that the waves of the sea
You are glorious on high.
That which you have ordained is certain;
the beauty of holiness fills your house,
Adonai, until the end of time.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Adonai, our Ruler, will come from heaven,
while holding in hand dominion and power.
Antiphon 2
The Law will come forth from Zion,
and from Jerusalem the Word of our God.
Psalm 98/99
Adonai reigns from the cherubim throne,
nations tremble and the Earth shakes!
Adonai in Zion is great
high above all the peoples;
Praise the great and wonderful Name:
Holy and mighty is our God!
O mighty Ruler and Lover of justice,
you strengthen the upright and secure equity for Jacob.
We bow down to worship and praise you:
Holy and mighty is our God!
Among your priests were Aaron and Moses,
among those who invoked you was Samuel.
They called out and you heard them;
and spoke from the pillar of cloud.
They did your will and kept the law
which you, Adonai, had given.
Exalt and bow before Adonai
give praise in the holy place:
“Holy and Mighty is our God!”
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The Law will come forth from Sion,
and from Jerusalem the Word of our God.
Antiphon 3
He shall sit upon the throne of David and of his reign
there shall be no end, alleluia!
Psalm 150
Praise God in the holy place
praise in the mighty heavens
Praise for such powerful deeds.
Praise the surpassing greatness.
O praise with sound of trumpet,
praise with lute and harp,
Praise with timbrel and dance
praise with strings and pipes.
O praise with resounding cymbals,
praise with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and has breath,
Praise Adonai: Alleluia.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
He shall sit upon the throne of David and of his reign
there shall be no end, alleluia!
Reading: Romans 12:11-12
It is now the hour to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near.
Let us cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Silent Prayer
Responsory:
R. Come Adonai, do not delay, * forgive the sins of your people.
V. Stir up your power, O Love, and come to save us! * forgive the sins of your people.
V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary: Luke 1:68-79
The Gospel Canticle is preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast of the day.
Antiphon
Who can tell you how to flee from the trouble that is to come?
Prove that you intend to reform!
I tell you: the axe is already at the roots
and the reign of God is at hand!
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
Who can tell you how to flee from the trouble that is to come?
Prove that you intend to reform!
I tell you: the axe is already at the roots
and the reign of God is at hand!
Intercessory Prayer
Lord Jesus, Root of Jesse, son of David, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, Wisdom of God most High, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, light for the nations, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy God, Mighty God, Immortal God, look tenderly upon all people.
May your power and love be with us always,
for yours is the glory and power of Love, now and forever. Amen.
May the peace of the Holy ONE which surpasses all understanding
+ guard our hearts and our minds in Jesus-our Emmanuel.
Let us bless Adonai. ~Thanks be to God.