Advent Antiphons
December 18, 2009
As we near Christmas day I’ve enjoyed reading the historic “O Antiphons”, beautiful meditations on the character of Jesus dating from at least the eighth century. You may recognize many of the phrases if you know the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Consider meditating on one each day as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
“O Wisdom which camest out of the mouth of the most high, reaching from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things;
come and shew us the way of understanding.
“O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in a flame of fire in the bush and gavest him the Law in Sinai;
come and redeem us with thine outstretched arms.
“O Root of Jesse who standest as the ensign of the people, before whom kings shall not open their lips, to whom the nations shall pray;
come and deliver us, tarry now no more.
“O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel, thou that openest and no man shutteth, who shutteth and no man openeth;
come and lead the captive from prison, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.
“O Dayspring, splendour of eternal light and sun of righteousness;
come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
“O King of Nations and their desired one, thou corner-stone who makest both one;
come and save man whom thou hast formed from clay.
“O Emmanuel our king and lawgiver, the hope of all nations and their saviour;
come and save us, O Lord our God.”
Source: http://nottinghamchurches.org/seasons/o.html
City of Sorrows (music by Fernando Ortega)
December 9, 2009
Check out this relatively new piece by Fernando Ortega. A free download of the song can be found here.
City of Sorrows
by Fernando Ortega
By the waters of Babylon
Still and deep
The sun rose at midnight
I was not asleep
I saw a man with a javelin
A carriage of steel
His eyes burned like sapphires
Wheels turning in wheels
I saw aluminum angels
Arrayed like a choir
Hailstones falling
Rivers of fire
By the waters of Babylon
I sank down in shame
Covered in ashes
I called out your name
Oh Jerusalem
City of thrones
The blood of your people
Still darkens the stones
City of sorrows
Spread on a hill
Bride of the prophets
They dream of you still
Kings in their armor
Swords in the sky
Storefronts of martyrs
Lined up to die
While in the streets of Jerusalem
Children in pain
Covered in ashes
I called out your name
Oh Jerusalem
City of thrones
The blood of your people
Still darkens the stones
City of sorrows
Spread on a hill
Bride of the prophets
They dream of you still
Oh Jerusalem
City of thrones
The blood of your people
Still darkens the stones
City of sorrows
Spread on a hill
Bride of the prophets
They dream of you still
Blessed Thanksgiving
November 25, 2009
by Rev. Mitch Hescox
Alleluia, Alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name
Jesus is Lord of all the earth
He is the King of creation
Spread the good news o’er all the earth
Jesus has died and has risen
We have been crucified with Christ
Now we shall live forever
Come let us praise the living God
Joyfully sing to our Savior
-Donald Fischel
Give thanks to the risen Lord … isn’t that Thanksgiving is all about. We forget so easily that yes Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation. The first North American Thanksgiving celebrated, at least the image, of different cultures working together and being dependent on the creation for physical life. Our corporate Thanksgiving vision links Native Americans and new immigrants together caring for creation, working together sustainably and in a fashion living as one in God’s Kingdom.
While our memory of Pilgrims and Native Americans working together may have become somewhat idealized, Thanksgiving represents a snapshot into Jesus’ proclamation, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Picture in your mind God’s blessings if:
- We worked for the common benefit of all;
- Respect and value given to new immigrants;
- We recognized all creatures as created by The Creator;
- The Earth was prized as a precious gift instead of a commodity;
- We truly denied ourselves, picked up our cross, and followed Jesus.
What a blessed Thanksgiving! Then all the earth – all creation would sing:
- Alleluia, Alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name!
Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior
October 23, 2009
For some sweet relief on this Friday try this hymn…
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1868. Music: Howard Doane, 1870
Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Refrain
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.
Refrain
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
Refrain
Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?
For a good temporary rendition go to Red Mountain Church or Bart Millard
Sunday Worship
October 18, 2009
Check out these new renditions from High Street Hymns based in Charlottesville, VA. Be sure to catch their rendition of “All Creatures of Our God and King.”
