3rd Sunday in Advent

Tomorrow is the third Sunday in Advent, and we have been so wrapped up in the world that we have not managed to speak of it. Well, we are hardly alone, although that is no excuse, nor do I believe in them. More to the point, neither does God. So it is time to step back and think about the wonder of what will transpire in just over a week.

For those of us whose churches use the Revised Common Lectionary (most liturgical churches, including Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and others) this is the first reading tomorrow:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;

61:2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

61:3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion– to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

61:4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

61:8 For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

61:9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.

61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

61:11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

For those of us who are Christian and feel beleaguered or are persecuted in the world at present that is a most heartening reading isn’t it? The Lord’s will be done, we always know that, and we pray for it, but sometimes it is hard to remember in the press of events. But our God is a God of justice.

But I’m no preacher, but I really like music, so let’s listen to some of the great Advent hymns.

This is Veni, Veni Immanuel, and it is traceable all the way back to the eighth century, and is still very current to our needs. This version seems to me to suit its message so well, that it has become my favorite.

This is attributed to Ambrose of Milan. the German version to Martin Luther and translated by William M. Reynolds.

From the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal

The music is by Rowland H. Prichard and the lyrics are by Charles Wesley.

And just because

The Psalm tomorrow will be this:

Psalm 126King James Version (KJV)

126 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

³ The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

⁴ Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

⁵ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him

Have a good weekend.