'Tis the season to be jolly'. Cheery seasonal songs greet us everywhere we turn these days. On Monday, as I spent about twenty minutes selecting some purchases in a local store, the muzak that pervaded the airwaves almost drove me to distraction. As I left with my purchases, I had great sympathy for the store clerks who would have to endure weeks and weeks of this. In the Christian tradition, Advent doesn't have much to do with being 'jolly'. Advent is preparation: time to pray, time to listen, time to watch, time to be alert and responsive to the signs of God's presence in our midst. In Advent we long anew for Emmanuel to come among us, to bring peace into a troubled world and hope into hearts that are fearful. My favourite carol of the Advent Season is 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'. This ancient hymn originated in part from the "Great 'O' Antiphons," which were part of the medieval Roman Catholic Advent liturgy. On each day of the week leading up to Christmas, one responsive verse would be chanted, each including a different Old Testament name for the coming Messiah. As we sing this hymn today, we too sing with expectant hearts and long for Christ to come among us again to embody God's ancient promises in the world.
In the links that follow there are two different musical offerings of this carol.
I invite you to listen and pray: 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'.
I also invite you to set aside time to pause in the midst of the busyness of the season. While there is certainly much to do as God's faithful people - reaching out to those in need, extending hospitality to the lonely, seeking justice and healing for the planet, welcoming refugees into our communities and visiting the sick and grieving, all if this work is impoverished if it isn't rooted in prayer and in the abiding presence of the Spirit. Here is a link to an online 'retreat' that will root your 'doing' in prayer and meditation.
Amid all the glitter and the sparkle of decorations along with the cheery songs of the season, our own hurts, disappointments and the personal tragedies we face can seem even more acute. The daily news adds more gloom and the burden of worry as global unrest and conflict escalates. O how we hunger for God's light and hope to strengthen us and the world in these days. I offer this meditative video and this Celtic prayer to sustain us as we wait for Emmanuel to come.
Circle us, O God
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark world
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair
Enable us to become that which you would desire
(Silent prayer)
God of all creation, Liberator of the Earth
Circle us with the light of your presence
Circle us, O God
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives
Protect them in the decisions that they face
Protect their homes and relationships
(Silent prayer)
God of all creation, Liberator of the Earth
Circle our loved ones with the light of your presence
Circle us, O God
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message
Create a willingness to understand and respond
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child
(Silent prayer)
God of all creation, Liberator of the Earth
Circle our nation with the light of your presence
Circle us, O God
Circle this world with the joy of your Good News
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
(Silent prayer)
God of all creation, Liberator of the Earth
Circle this world with the light of your presence
Peace, Kathy Toivanen.
Friday Message
