1st Sunday of Advent

Advent- (L) Adventus ad-to + venire-come

I love celebrating Advent, the coming of Christ as a babe. I love lighting the candles of the Advent wreath each week, reading scripture, special prayers, and singing songs that correlate with each week. For me it adds to what Christmas is all about, and less on what the world has made it to be.

Today at church we celebrated the beginning of Advent. A family came up, read scripture, lit the candle, and prayed. We then, as a congregation sang, O come O come Emmanuel, one of my favorites. I had the privilege to be part of the worship team today, so as I sang, I was paying close attention to the words, to make sure I didn't mess up. As I did, it hit me that the words of the song weren't just for the month of December, but they are for every day. Daily I am to ask the Lord to come, to fill my very being, to lead and guide me each moment. But more than that it struck me that I am to daily be in anticipation for His coming to my heart. As believers we long for His return, we go through the motions of remembering His first coming as a baby, celebrating with all the traditions year to year, but do we long, really long for His daily coming?

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem, from ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save; bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to you, O Israel!

Are these not words we can pray every day? Emmanuel, God with us. Never leaving, or forsaking, not seasonally, but daily, minute by minute.

O come, Emmanuel. Renew in me, today, a true wonder at Your presence, and power in my life.

O come, Emmanuel. Renew in me, today, a joy responsive to the Father's joy.

O come, Emmanuel. Renew in me, today, the joy, and love, and peace that is right to bring to the manger of my Lord.

O come, Emmanuel. Renew in me, today, humble reverence for the God who acted there, and sincere gratitude for the Life begun there.

O come, Emmanuel. Renew in me holy obedience, to walk as You walked, to love as You loved.