Behold, the Hope of the World "The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of Christ (Isaiah 11:1-10), who will defend the afflicted and crush the oppressor (Psalm 72:1-7). In light of the Savior's arrival, John the Baptist calls us to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12). We praise God for his marvelous deeds (Psalms 72:18-19). Because of Christ, the root of Jesse, we have hope for the future through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:4-13)." - Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
This is a season for cultivating an awareness of God’s promises.
Past, present, and future.
Hear the prophets speak.
In Advent, we sharpen our gaze in anticipation.
Christ has come, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Friday - Acts 13:16-33a (Paul preaches about John the Baptist)
Saturday - Psalm 21 (God comes with judgment and strength)
The Advent Wreath
The candles of the Advent Wreath represent the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. This progression symbolizes our own experience waiting. As the candles are lit, despair and the shadows of sin fall away. Each new candle reminds us that something is happening and that more is yet to come.
The first candle represents expectation, hope, or prophecy
Three candles are purple and one ispink.
The pink candle representsjoy and is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday.
The white candle (center) is lit on Christmas Eve andsymbolizes the joy of Christ born on Christmas Day.
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice...
"See how great is the wisdom of the Baptist in his preaching? Note how he states his case without compromise, unafraid of alarming his hearers and fillingthem with anxiety. Yet his very next words are mild, speaking of that which is apt to make them recover. He does not dwell on the axe alone... but also speaks of the remission of sins, the removal of punishment, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, adoption and community, a partaking of the inheritance and an abundant supply of the Holy Spirit. For to all these remedies John implicitly pointed when he said, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” At once, by this very figure of speech, John witnessed to the abundance of grace." -Chrysostom
Collect for the Second Week of Advent
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.
-from The Book of Common Prayer
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