The Hebrew Scriptures
and the Promise of the Messiah’s Birth

Advent Festival of 5 Lessons and Music

[In the mid- to late- 90’s it was my privilege to be the part-time Chaplain at the Ridgewood Veterans’ Wing -- a Department of Veterans’ Affairs facility where I conducted Services on Tuesday evenings, assisted by members of the choir of the Church of the Good Shepherd in West Saint John.  The choristers led the men and their wives in the hymns while those Vets who were capable of reading did so as asked.]

 

A Bidding Prayer

Dear People of God: In the Season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.

Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise.

But first, let us pray fro the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this community.

And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and the little children, as well as all those who do not know the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.

And now, to sum up all these petitions, let us pray in the words Christ himself has taught us, saying:

Our Father…

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all.  Amen.

Book of Occasional Services, 30

Introductory Response

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Will you not give us life again,
That your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,
And grant us your salvation.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Book of Alternative Service, 96

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

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

      O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain

      O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain

      O come, thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Refrain

      O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
Refrain

      O come, O 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.
Refrain

      O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our bitter conflict cease,
And be for us our Prince of Peace.
Refrain

Tune: Veni Emmanuel Common Praise: 89

Collect for Advent

      Almighty God,
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and put upon the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ
came to visit us in great humility,
that on 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.

Book of Alternative Service, 268

The First Lesson

Reader         A Reading from Genesis

The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the LORD God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, “Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” 
The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.” 
“No, you won’t!” the snake replied.   “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.” 
The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too.   Right away they saw what they had done, and they realized they were naked. Then they sewed fig leaves together to make something to cover themselves. 
Late in the afternoon a breeze began to blow, and the man and woman heard the LORD God walking in the garden. They were frightened and hid behind some trees. 

The LORD called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?” 
The man answered, “I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!” 
”How did you know you were naked?” God asked.  “Did you eat any fruit from that tree in the middle of the garden?” 
“It was the woman you put here with me,” the man said. “She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it.” 
The LORD God then asked the woman, “What have you done?”
“The snake tricked me,” she answered.  “And I ate some of that fruit.” 
So the LORD God said to the snake:
“Because of what you have done,
you will be the only animal to suffer this curse
For as long as you live,
you will crawl on your stomach and eat dirt.
 You and this woman will hate each other;
your descendants and hers will always be enemies.
One of hers will strike you on the head,
and you will strike him on the heel.”

Genesis 3: 1-15 Contemporary English Version

Reader         The Word of the Lord

Response     Thanks be to God

Hark, a Herald Voice is Sounding

      Hark, a herald voice is sounding:
Christ is nigh,” it seems to say.
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!”

      Wakened by the solemn warning,
let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ our sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.

      Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us all, with deep repentance,
pray that we may be forgiven.

      That when next he comes with glory,
and the world is wrapped in fear,
with his mercy he may shield us,
and with words of love draw near.

      Honour, glory, might, and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
with the everlasting Spirit,
while eternal ages run.

Tune: Merton Common Praise: 108

The Second Lesson

Reader         A Reading from Jeremiah

The LORD said:
The time will surely come when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah.   It will be different from the agreement I made with their ancestors when I led them out of Egypt. Although I was their God, they broke that agreement. 
Here is the new agreement that I, the LORD, will make with the people of Israel:
“I will write my laws on their hearts and minds.
I will be their God, and they will be my people. 
“No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me.  I, the LORD, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done.”

Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Contemporary English Version

Reader         The Word of the Lord

Response     Thanks be to God

 

On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry

      On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings.

      Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within.
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
where such a mighty guest may come.

      For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge, and our great reward;
without thy grace we waste away,
like flowers that wither and decay.

      To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,
And bid the fallen sinner stand;
Shine forth, and let thy light restore
earth’s own true loveliness once more.

      All praise, eternal Son, to thee
Whose advent doth thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost for evermore.

Tune: Winchester New Common Praise: 103

The Third Lesson

Reader         A Reading from the Baruch

Jerusalem, look toward the east and be glad, because God is bringing your children home! They were once dragged away as captives, yet at his command they are now gathered together from the east and the west and are praising God's glorious power.

Jerusalem, take off the clothes that show you are sad and mourning. Put on the beautiful clothes of God’s bright glory and never take them off!   Wear the robe of God’s justice and the crown of his eternal power.  God will let every nation on earth see your brightness, and he will give you this new name forever: “Right-Living-Brings-Peace and Faith-in-God-Brings-Honor.”
So stand on top of the mountain and look east. Our Holy God has gathered your children from the east and the west, and they are celebrating because he hasn’t forgotten them. Their enemies forced them to leave on foot, and now God will bring them back to you with great honor, as if they were kings being carried on beautiful thrones. He has commanded every high mountain and ancient hill to be made low, and every valley to be filled up, so that the people of Israel can return home safely on level ground. They will show God’s glory to the world.  God has commanded every forest and every sweet-smelling tree to shade the Israelites  as he leads them home, and they will celebrate and shout for joy on their way. The brightness of God’s own glory will guide them, and his mercy and justice will go with them.

Baruch 4:36- 5:9 Contemporary English Version

Reader         The Word of the Lord

Response     Thanks be to God

Advent Responsory

My soul waits for the Lord;
in his word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord;
in his word is my hope.

Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
In his word is my hope.

There is forgiveness with you;
therefore you shall be feared.
In his word is my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning.
In his word is my hope.

O Israel, wait for the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mercy.
In his word is my hope.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
My soul waits for the Lord;
in his word is my hope.

Book of Alternative Service, 105

 There’s A Voice in the Wilderness

      There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
A call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!

      The valleys shall be exalted,
The lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places
Where the Lord our God may go!

      O Zion, give voice to good tidings,
Ascend to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
The coming of their King.

      The works of pride all perish,
Like flowers they decay;
The power and pomp of nations
Shall pass like a dream away.

      But your word, O God, is faithful,
Your arm, O Lord, is strong;
You stand in the midst of nations,
And you will right the wrong.

      You will feed your flocks like a shepherd,
And fold the lambs to your breast;
In pastures of peace you’ll lead them,
And give to the weary rest.

      There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
A call from the ways untrod!
Prepare in the desert a highway,
A highway for our God!

      The valleys shall be exalted,
The lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places
Where the Lord our God may go!

Tune: Ascension  Common Praise: 106

The Fourth Lesson

Reader         A Reading from Isaiah

Like a branch that sprouts from a stump,
someone from David's family will someday be king.
  The Spirit of the LORD will be with him
to give him understanding, wisdom, and insight.
He will be powerful, and he will know
and honor the LORD.
  His greatest joy will be to obey the LORD.
This king won't judge by appearances or listen to rumors.
  The poor and the needy will be treated with fairness
and with justice.
His word will be law everywhere in the land,
and criminals will be put to death.
  Honesty and fairness will be his royal robes.
  Leopards will lie down with young goats,
and wolves will rest with lambs.
Calves and lions will eat together
and be cared for by little children.
  Cows and bears will share the same pasture;
their young will rest side by side.
Lions and oxen will both eat straw.
Little children will play near snake holes.
They will stick their hands into dens of poisonous snakes
and never be hurt.
Nothing harmful will take place
on the LORD'S holy mountain.
Just as water fills the sea,
the land will be filled with people
who know and honor the LORD.

Isaiah 11: 1-9 Contemporary English Version

Reader         The Word of the Lord

Response     Thanks be to God

Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King;
Born to reign in us forever:
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Tune: Stuttgart Common Praise: 88

The Fifth Lesson

Reader         A Reading from Isaiah

Once again the LORD God spoke to King Ahaz. This time he said,   “Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above.” 
”No, LORD,” Ahaz answered. “I won’t test you!” 
Then I said:

Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof.  

But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.  Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey, and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed. 

Isaiah 7:10-15 Contemporary English Version

 

Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending

Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
Once for favoured sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold him,
Robed in dreadful majesty;
All who set at nought and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply grieving, deeply grieving, deeply grieving,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Now redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear;
All his saints, on earth rejected,
Thrill the trumpet sound to hear:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
See the day of God appear!

Yea, amen, let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory;
Claim the kingdom for thine own:
O come quickly! O come quickly! O come quickly!
Hallelujah! Come, Lord, come!

Tune: Helmsley Common Praise: 114

Litany for Advent

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 love.
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 scepter 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 have 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!
Book of Alternative Services, 119

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

All my Heart This Night Rejoices

All my heart this night rejoices,

As I hear,

Far and near,

Sweetest angel voices;

“Christ is born,” their choirs are singing,

Till the air

Everywhere

Now with joy is ringing.

 

Hark! A voice from yonder manger,

Soft and sweet,

Doth entreat,

“Flee from woe and danger!

Brethren, come! From all that grieves you,

You are freed;

All you need

I will surely give you.”

 

Come, then, let us hasten yonder!

Here let all,

Great and small,

Kneel in awe and wonder!

Love him who with love is yearning!

Hail the Star,

That from far

Bright with hope is burning!

 

Thee, dear Lord, with heed I’ll cherish,

Live to thee,

And with thee

Dying, shall not perish;

But shall dwell with thee for ever,

Far on high,

In the joy

That can alter never.

Tune: Warum sollt ich

Common Praise: 149

 

Festivals of Light

Harold Macdonald: Introduction to Lessons

Selections read from
Contemporary English Version
Copyright © 1999 American Bible Society