A priest and performer considers religion, the arts, and the often thin space between sacred and secular, church and culture, pulpit and pew.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A Litany for Advent IV

It's customary in the church, beginning on this date each year, to use the so-called "O" Antiphons when praying the canticle Magnificat, or Song of Mary. Each day leading up to Christmas has its own such antiphon, each of which delineates an attribute of the expected Messiah; the best known version is in the hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel". For this coming Sunday in my parish, I've written Prayers of the People based on these antiphons. The translations are found in many sources. Specific intentions may  be added as desired.

Prayers of the People for Advent IV, based on the “O” Antiphons

O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: hear our prayers for the earth and all of creation. Lead us to be better stewards of the world you have made and given to us, that those who come after us may enjoy its bounty and goodness.
Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Come and save us.

O Adonai, Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: hear our prayers for the church; for __________; for Christians in trouble or danger, and for peace and understanding among the religions of the world.
Come, and redeem us with outstretched arms.
Come and save us.

O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: hear our prayers for our nation, our state, our region; for those who govern, especially ______________; for those whose needs are overlooked, and for those who work for justice and reconciliation.
Come deliver us, and tarry not.
Come and save us.

O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel: open wide the door of healing, and close the doors of suffering. Hear our prayers for _________________________.
Come, and lead forth into wholeness those who are captive to illness, injury, and pain.
Come and save us.

O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: hear our prayers for the departed, especially _____________, and for those who mourn. You who are the hope of everlasting life and our light amid the darkness of death,
Come, and give us light. 
Come and save us.

O King of the gentiles and their desired One: hear our prayers of thanksgiving for ________________________. Give us thankful hearts; ground our gratitude in humility and service to others.
Come, and deliver us, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
Come and save us.

O Emmanuel, God with us, the expected of the nations and their Savior: hear our prayers for all the people and nations of the world, especially __________________. Lead us into paths of justice and peace, and bring to an end our warring ways and violent inclinations.
Come to save us, O Lord our God.
Come and save us.


A concluding collect (prayer) may be added.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The Way of Advent - Stations Eleven and Twelve, and Concluding Prayers

Eleventh Station – John the Baptist Anticipates the Coming of the Christ 
(Mark 1:7-8)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

John proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

V.  Here is the Lamb of God
R.  Who takes away the sin of the world.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.     (Book of Common Prayer, 211)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
               The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1



Twelfth Station – The Fulfillment of the Reign of God (Rev. 21:1-4a)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

V.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
R.  See, I am making all things new.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 236)

Come, O Father’s saving Son,
Who o’er sin the vict’ry won.
Boundless shall your kingdom be;
Grant that we its glories see.
               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
               The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 4


Concluding Prayers

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 211)

Go in peace.
Thanks be to God.

Monday, December 15, 2014

The Way of Advent: Stations Nine and Ten

Ninth Station – The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:59-63)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.

V.  You, child, will be called the prophet of the most high
R.  For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, 241)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
                   - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
                   The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1


Tenth Station – The Annunciation to Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

V.  God has raised up a mighty savior for us
R.  From the house of his servant David.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 239)


Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

The Way of Advent - Stations Seven and Eight

Seventh Station – Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-43)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

V.  There will be a fulfillment of God’s word;
R.  And blessed is she who believes.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 240)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
            - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Eighth Station – Mary Echoes God’s Promise to Abraham (Luke 1:46-48, 51-55)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

V.  The Mighty One has done great things for me;
R.  And holy is his name.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, 815)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
  

Friday, December 12, 2014

The Way of Advent - Stations Five and Six

Fifth Station – The Annunciation to Mary (Luke 2:28, 30-32)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.

V.  He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
R.  And of his kingdom there will be no end.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, 240)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
            - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1


Sixth Station – Mary’s Response (Luke 1:38)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

V.  The child to be born will be holy;
R.  He will be called Son of God.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 243)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Way of Advent - Stations Three and Four

Third Station – The One to rule Israel will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-4)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.  And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

V.  Then the remnant of Jacob
R.  Shall be like dew from the Lord.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, 212)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
             - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1



Fourth Station – The Annunciation to Zechariah  (Luke 1:13-15)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

V.  He will turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous
R.  To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. (Book of Common Prayer, 212)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
          

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

The Way of Advent - Station Two

Second Station – God’s call to prepare the way (Is. 40:1-11)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

V. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
R.  And all people shall see it together.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 124)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.

               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
                  The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Monday, December 8, 2014

The Way of Advent

This Advent season, for my parish, I've created "The Way of Advent", a booklet of devotions based on The Way (or Stations) of the Cross. Each day (or nearly so!) I'll be posting one of the twelve stations. Today, the opening and First Station:

The Way of Advent

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven....             Our Father in heaven....
(Lord's Prayer version of your choice)

V. We will rejoice in the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R.  In whom is our salvation, our life, and resurrection.

Let us pray.   (Silence)

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of the advent of your blessed Son, who came among us as one of us and will return with redemption for all creation. Amen.


First Station – God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 17:4-7)

Our King and Savior now draws near:
Come among us and save us, we pray.

God said to Abram, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

V. I will make of you a great nation;
R.  In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 100)

Savior of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, both heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
               
                                                       - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)
                                                       The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1