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We light the First Candle 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
All may sing or alternate the verses of an Advent Morning Hymn—this one translated anew from the monastic version of Vox Clara. The traditional melody or any familiar Long Meter hymn tune may be used, e.g. On Jordan’s Bank.
A herald’s voice is calling out, rebuking darkness with a shout:
Throw all those nightmares far away, Christ comes with dawn to wake the day!
The lazy mind, the sordid heart, are roused to waken with a start;
Come watch the New Star at its rise; it shines upon the morning skies.
The Lamb is sent from heights above, to show this people how to love;
So let us rise, fling off the night, and join Christ in the ways of light.
Though greed and loneliness appear to have an upper hand this year,
Give us a voice that all may hear the Good News that your Reign is near! Amen.
PSALMODY
One or more of the Antiphons for the First Sunday of Advent may be sung with their respective Psalms.
Those who wish may sing alternate verses with the cantor.
Antiphon 1
Seek Adonai, while Adonai may be found.
Call out to God when God is near.
Psalm 1
If you would be happy and blest:
Walk hand in hand with goodness,
Be a companion of virtue,
Sit in the seat of truth.
Delight in the study of Torah–
Ponder both day and night.
Then, like a tree that is planted
Beside a flowing stream,
You will bear fruit in due season
Your leaves will never fade,
All that you do will prosper
With plenty of life to share.
This is not true for the wicked,
Like chaff they are blown by the wind;
Turning from the Heart of Love,
They will know suffering and pain;
Wisdom guards the way of the upright,
The way of foolishness leads to doom.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Seek Adonai, while Adonai may be found.
Call out to God when God is near.
Antiphon 2
On that promised day, all the peaks will drip with newest wine,
and the hills will flow with milk and honey, Alleluia.
Psalm 22/23
You, O LOVE, are my shepherd,
There is nothing more I need.
Fresh and green are the pastures,
Where you take me to rest;
Leading me near calming waters
You renew my drooping spirit.
You guide me in the path of goodness,
Always true to your Loving-kindness.
If I walk in the valley of death’s darkness
No evil would I fear
You are there with your shepherd’s staff
To strengthen, guide and give comfort.
You spread a feast before me
In the presence of all that I fear,
You soothe my head with oil;
My cup is more than full.
Your goodness and love will tend me
All the days of my life.
I will dwell in the Heart of your Love
For ever and ever.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
On that promised day, all the peaks will drip with newest wine,
and the hills will flow with milk and honey, Alleluia.
Antiphon 3
Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Sion! Thrill with happiness,
O Daughter of Jerusalem, Alleluia.
Psalm 148
Alleluia! Praise Adonai!
Sing praise from the heavens above,
Sing praise from the heights of the mountains!
All angels and spirits, sing praise!
Sing praise, O Sun and Moon!
Sing praise, O glittering Stars!
Sing praise, O Galaxies of the Universe!
Sing praise, O Cosmos of Creation!
Praise the Name of the ONE
Whose Word invited you to be,
Establishing the pattern of creation:
Wanting us all to be free.
Let praise resound from the Earth
From oceans and creatures of the sea;
fire and hail, snow and mist,
Stormy winds that hear the Word.
All mountains and hills,
All fruit trees and cedars
Beasts both wild and tame
Reptiles and birds on the wing;
Princes and judges,
Rulers and citizens
All men and women
Elders and children;
Together sing praise to the HOLY
To the ONE whose praise is exalted;
To the NAME beyond all names,
Whose splendor fills heaven and earth.
For LOVE gives strength to the people,
Shares glory with all the faithful;
Welcoming us as companions,
Teaching us how to sing praise.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Sion! Thrill with happiness,
O Daughter of Jerusalem, Alleluia.
Reading: I Thessalonians 3:12-13
May the Lord God strengthen your hearts,
may they be blameless and holy at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsory:
R. Waiting in the night I saw in a vision one like a Human One coming from afar. *And like a great cloud, his glory covered the earth.
V. Run out to meet him and say: are you the one to come, the promised one? *And like a great cloud, his glory covered the earth.
Gospel Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
The Gospel Canticle is preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast celebrated that day.
Gospel Antiphon:
There will be signs in the sun and in the moon,
then the powers of heaven will be shaken.
When these things happen, stand up! Lift up your heads!
Because your salvation is near 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 has shown upon us
Illumines the darkness and dispels 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
There will be signs in the sun and in the moon,
then the powers of heaven will be shaken.
When these things happen, stand up! Lift up your heads!
Because your salvation is near at hand!
Intercessory Prayer
Lord Jesus, our light in days of darkness, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, our hope in times of struggle, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, our promise from God on high, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Gathering our prayers and praise into one, we pray as Jesus taught the disciples:
Our Dear Abba in heaven …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Stir up your love, O Jesus, and come. As a mother hen spreads her wings to gather her brood, extend your arms to gather and protect us. Free us to bring the warmth of your love to a world freezing in loneliness and fear. 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. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~Thanks be to God.