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(c) 2010, Linda Witte Henke (www.lindahenke.com). All rights reserved.
Posted here with permission of the artist.
Prope es tu, Domine, et omnes viae tuae veritas:
initio cognovi de testimoniis tuis, quia in aeternum tu es.
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
Behold a Virgin bearing Him Who comes to save us from our sin;
The prophets cry prepare His way! Make straight His paths to Christmas Day!
Behold our Hope and Life and Light: The promise of the holy night;
We lift our prayer and bend our knee; to His great love and majesty.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse,
and the whole world will be filled with the glory of Adonai;
and all flesh will know the saving works of God!
Psalm 131/132
Adonai, remember David
and his patience through so many hardships,
the oath he swore to you,
O Mighty God of Jacob:
“I will not enter my home,
nor lie down on my bed to rest.
I will not close my eyes
nor will I enjoy my slumber
until I find a place for Adonai
a dwelling for the Strong One of Jacob.
At Ephrata we heard of the ark;
we found it in the fields of Yaarim.
“Let us go to God’s house,
Let us worship at God’s throne.”
Go up, Adonai, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your power.
Your priests dress with holiness for the feast;
your faithful prepare songs and shouts of joy.
For the sake of David your servant
do not reject your anointed.
Adonai swore an oath to David;
and will not go back on this word:
“Your child, the fruit of your body
will I set upon your throne.
“If your heirs adhere to my laws
and keep my covenant in truth,
their children also shall rule
from your throne forever and ever.”
For Adonai has chosen Zion,
has desired it as a home.
“This is my resting place forever,
here have I chosen to live.
“I will bless the produce of her fields
and the poor shall be filled with bread.
I will vest the priests with salvation
and the faithful will sing out their joy.
There I will make David’s stock flower,
and I will light a lamp for my anointed.
Enemies will be clothed with regret
but on the anointed a crown will shine.”
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse,
and the whole world will be filled with the glory of Adonai;
and all flesh will know the saving works of God!
READING Isaiah 4: 2-3
On that day, the branch of Adonai will be luster and glory and the fruit of Earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel. Those who remain in Zion and those left at home in Jerusalem will be called “holy,” everyone marked down for fullness of life in Jerusalem.
Responsory
R. Soon Adonai your ruler will come * and he shall be called Emmanuel
V. Justice shall flower in his days and profound peace.
* and he shall be called Emmanuel
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:
O Mary, do not fear. You are found gracious before our God.
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a Son.
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
O Mary, do not fear. You are found gracious before our God.
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a Son.
Intercessory Prayer
Let us call out to the One who longs to be with us: ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for food and drink, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for clothing, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for a welcome, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for care, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for visitors, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for freedom, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for justice, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for simplicity, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for silence, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for joy, ~Come Lord Jesus
To those who are waiting for death, ~Come Lord Jesus
For all of these, we pray the words that Jesus gave us:
Our Dear Abba …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Creator and Redeemer of humankind, your eternal Word blossomed into our world from Root of Jesse and stands as the revelation of your Love for all people. May the powers of greed and pride be silenced so that all may hear the heart’s deeper cries for freedom and justice: “Come and without delay, liberate all of us!” We ask this through the same Incarnate Word who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
May the justice and love of the + Holy ONE
make the wood of our hearts sprout with new life inJesus-Emmanuel. Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~ Thanks be to God.