Tag: Advent

A Canticle for Advent: Everything is Going to Change

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tammingasunset

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After the angel’s song
Everyone held their breath
As the darkness rushed back in upon those shepherd boys
Staring into the night
Climbing up off their knees
With their hearts on fire, they were trembling with fear and joy

Gloria, Gloria!
It was a choir of angels singing
The shepherd’s ears were ringing
They were ringing with
Gloria, Gloria!
Now everything is going to change
Christ the Lord is born today

Racing down from the hills
Running like children run
Reckless and wild with a song that made them young again
As the field beneath their feet
Turned into city streets
They were crying out have you heard, have you heard oh Bethlehem?!

Gloria, Gloria!
It was a choir of angels singing
The shepherd’s ears were ringing
They were ringing with
Gloria, Gloria!
Now everything is going to change
Christ the Lord is born today

In a land under the rule
Of the priests and kings
Only shepherds heard the song
That the angels sing
The humble are the keepers of the secrets of the Kingdom that is coming
With a song that will break upon the world like 10,000 horses running

Gloria, Gloria!
The shepherds they were singing
Now all our ears are ringing
They’re still ringing with
Gloria, Gloria!
Now everything is going to change
Christ the Lord is born today
Gloria, glory to God, glory to God!
Gloria, glory to God, glory to God
In excelsis Deo

One day he’ll come again
To bring us a brand new song
But till then we’ll sing along with those shepherd boys
~Jason Gray

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2: 13-16

Reckless and wild with a song that made them young again!  That is how the “Gloria” should be to each of us!  We race to see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.
We meet together in worship today in the knowledge we are all welcomed and the song of invitation will never end.

A Canticle for Advent: The Promise of Ages

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evening11292

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on’ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ’twas in a cow’s stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God’s heaven, a star’s light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God’s Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, ’cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on’ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
~Appalachian Carol

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Luke 24:12

Not a day goes by without my wandering wondering, trying to comprehend what happened that night He was born.  I try to wrap my mind around His death, and I cannot begin to fathom Him getting up and walking away from the tomb.

For poor ornery people like you and like I.   I wonder that He did that.  What wondrous love.

A Canticle for Advent: Slumber Deep

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sunrisesolstice

Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir
We will lend a coat of fur
We will rock you, rock you, rock you
We will rock you, rock you, rock you
See the fur to keep you warm
Snugly round your tiny form.

Mary’s little baby, sleep, sweetly sleep
Sleep in comfort, slumber deep
We will rock you, rock you, rock you
We will rock you, rock you, rock you
We will serve you all we can
Darling, darling little man.
~traditional Czech carol, translated to English in the 1920’s

A Canticle for Advent: Nor Say Nor Sing

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Rachel Weeping by Salvador Dali
Rachel Weeping by Salvador Dali

1. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

2. O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

3. Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.

4. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.
~traditional Coventry Carol

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not”
Jeremiah 31:15

This sad and somber lullaby foreshadows Jesus’ death, as it is sung by the mothers who lose their innocent sons to Herod’s murderous attempt to rid himself of a king born under a star.  As much as we do not want to think of death at Christmas, it happens still.  There are thousands around the world who will die in the coming few days, some reaching the end of a long life on earth, others tragically passing too soon and too young.

This lullaby is for the grief-stricken who can only listen and lament, nor say nor sing.

A Canticle for Advent: To Redeem Us All

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wwu4121813

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown

[Refrain:]
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flow’r,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Saviour

[Refrain]

The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good

[Refrain]

The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn

[Refrain]

The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all

[Refrain]

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown
~18th century traditional carol

19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 2: 19-20

We, the children of God–
created white as the blossom,
blood red as the berry,
sharp as the prickly edge,
bitter as the bark —
we, redeemed and glorified,
are the crown of thorns and joy He wears.

A Canticle for Advent: Grace Out of the Void

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sunrise12177

It’s the season of grace coming out of the void
Where a man is saved by a voice in the distance
It’s the season of possible miracle cures
Where hope is currency and death is not the last unknown
Where time begins to fade
And age is welcome home

It’s the season of eyes meeting over the noise
And holding fast with sharp realization
It’s the season of cold making warmth a divine intervention
You are safe here you know now

Don’t forget
Don’t forget I love
I love
I love you

It’s the season of scars and of wounds in the heart
Of feeling the full weight of our burdens
It’s the season of bowing our heads in the wind
And knowing we are not alone in fear
Not alone in the dark

Don’t forget
Don’t forget I love
I love
I love you
~Vienna Teng “The Atheist Christmas Carol”

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1: 1-2

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
John 21: 15-17

Cynthia Yih Shih (Vienna Teng professionally), a graduate student at the University of Michigan in the Global Sustainable Enterprise Institute did not grow up Christian but some of her songs show distinct Christian influence, especially this tongue-in cheek-entitled Christmas carol.  The comfort found in these words, heard by mostly secular audiences,  are echoes of the gospel.

There is no longer a void or darkness upon the face of the deep.  Instead Grace has come in the face of Jesus the Son,  through God the Father who moves among us, His Spirit changing everything, now and always.

Do not be afraid.
You are not alone in the dark.
You are loved.
Don’t forget.

A Canticle for Advent: For the Good of Us All

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In a byre near Bethlehem
Passed by many a wandering stranger
The most precious Word of Life
Was heard gurgling in a manger
For the good of us all

By the Galilean Lake
Where the people flocked for teaching
The most precious Word of Life
Fed their mouths as well as preaching
For the good of us all

And He’s here when we call Him
Bringing health, love, and laughter
To life now and ever after
For the good of us all

Quiet was Gethsemane
Camouflaging priest and soldier
The most precious Word of Life
Took the world’s weight on His shoulder
For the good of us all

On the hill of Calvary
Place to end all hope of living
The most precious Word of Life
Breathed His last and died, forgiving
For the good of us all

In a garden, just at dawn
Near the grave of human violence
The most precious Word of Life
Cleared His throat and ended silence
For the good of us all
~John Bell 1987

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
John 20: 14-16

The voice of the risen Jesus calls her name as one of the first words He utters — He still calls us one by one by name, from the manger, from the hillsides, from the cross, from outside the empty tomb, from the roads we wander, confused and afraid.

And we will turn to Him when we hear Him — for the good of us all.

A Canticle for Advent: With God in Unity

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Sveta Gora Nativity
Sveta Gora Nativity

Girls and boys, leave your toys. make no noise,
Kneel at His crib and worship Him.
At Thy shrine, Child divine, we are Thine,
Our Saviour’s here.

(Chorus)
“Hallelujah!” the church bells ring,
“Hallelujah!” the angels sing,
“Hallelujah!” from ev’rything.
All must draw near.

On that day – far away – Jesus lay,
Angels were watching round His head,
Holy Child – Mother mild – undefiled,
We sing Thy praise.

Shepherds came – at the fame – of Thy name,
Angels their guide to Bethlehem.
In that place – saw Thy face – filled with grace,
Stood at Thy door.

Wise men too – haste to do – homage new,
Gold, Myrrh and Frankincense they bring.
As ’twas said – starlight led – to Thy bed,
Bending their knee.

Oh, that we – all might be – good as He,
Spotless with God in Unity.
Saviour dear – ever near – with us here
Since life began.
~Zither Carol (Traditional Czech carol)

…so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 12-13

..in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
2 Peter 3: 13-14

A Canticle for Advent: Here with Us

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rainbowsunrise2
It’s still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You’re here with us
You’re here with us
It’s still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel’s symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You’re here with usJesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You’re here with us
You’re here with us
~Joy Williams

2 …because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:  3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
2 John 1: 2-3

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16

How can God With Us not be a profound mystery?
From our myopic view of our one little corner of existence,
can we possibly comprehend how the Creator of all things is born to one of us?

In our wonder at what has happened
and continues to happen among us,
at the promise reaching down from heaven
to be held and rocked in our arms,
can we not accept and believe~
His Truth has come to dwell within us forever.

 

 

A Canticle for Advent: The Soul Felt Its Worth

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photo by Josh Scholten
photo by Josh Scholten

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night

…it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1Peter 3:4

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ”
John 13:34