Advent

Advent comes from the Latin word for "coming" or "arrival"... the Advent season is about reflecting on the coming of Christ. It's the celebration of his first coming as a baby boy in a barn, and the anxious awaiting of his second coming. This is the first year that we have really observed Advent as a family. My prayer this Christmas is that the next four weeks are spent in anticipated joy and reflection on the promises of God- a baby born into the humblest of circumstances, sent to save the world, seeking relationship with us, and destined to be King over all kings and Lord of all. I pray that this is impressed upon the hearts of my children and that the wonder of the Christ child casts a shadow over the magic and merriment of Santa.

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!