Yes, I know. Life has been crazy the past few days. Mea Culpa. However, today I can post three things for you to listen to and reflect upon.
My goal from now until Christmas is to do a deep dive into the quiet and beautiful rhythm of Advent. My schedule is more clear and I plan to do some spiritual reading, work on some interesting projects and prepare my heart for the gift that comes at Christmas – Emmanuel.
What are you doing to make ready? Are you feeling that joy and wonder that comes as we reflect on the story of the Nativity of Christ? What do you need to do to get there?
I am so grateful to God. That is my beginning point. I pray that love and blessings touch your lives this day. O come, let us adore that beautiful babe.
+Deb
For your listening pleasure – yesterday’s Prayer on the Go
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/16484334
Today’s Sunday Blogtalk Prayer Service:
http://tobtr.com/s/11116495
The Prayer Service for the Third Sunday in Advent
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Trisagion (repeat three times)
Holy God,
holy and mighty,
holy immortal one,
have mercy upon us.
Collect
O God, who makes us glad with the yearly expectation of your coming: grant that we, who with joy receive your only begotten Son as our Redeemer, may without fear behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, even your Son our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Reading: Luke 2:8-20
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The “O” Antiphons
O Wisdom (O Sapienta) O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
O Lord and Ruler (O Adonai) O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai gave him your Law. Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.
O Root of Jesse (O Radix Jesse) O Root of Jesse, you stand for the ensign of all mankind; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay.
O Key of David (O Clavis David) O Key of David, Scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens. Come, and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O Rising Dawn (O Oriens) O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice; Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
O King of the Nations (O Rex Gentium) O King of the Gentiles, Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom you fashion out of clay.
O Emmanuel O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the nations and their Savior: Come, and save us, O Lord our God.
Reflective Prayer
Break forth, O beautiful morning light, and let the heaven dawn! Be not afraid, O shepherd folk, for the angel is telling you that this helpless little boy will be our comfort and joy, here for to conquer Satan and bring us peace at last! – Johann von Rist (1607–67)
Intercessory Prayers
O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Lord, and head of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on Sinai: come with outstretched arm and ransom us. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Branch of Jesse, standing as a sign among the nations, all kings will keep silence before you and all peoples will summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free the captives from prison. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Morning Star, splendour of the light eternal and bright Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires: Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one: come and save the creature you fashioned from clay. Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Emmanuel, hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and save us, Lord our God. Lord Jesus, come soon!
For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory,
now and for ever.
Amen.
O Lord. You are the light that guides my feet. You are the map that gives me direction.
You are the peace that makes me strong. You are the leader whom I faithfully follow.
May your light illuminate my life and your guidance bring direction.
May I find inspiration in your word and peace in my heart as I follow you. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
Journeying with God 