Advent Meditations from Bishop White
Fourth Week of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7; 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matt 1:18-25
Hymn
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Mother of God, Here I Stand
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A Meditation
Advent's journey of waiting and expectation is nearly complete. The fourth candle in the Advent wreath now burns. And even as our homes and churches are trimmed for Christmastide, the promise of Advent burns steady and bright. Emmanuel, God with us, awaits and invitation to enter our lives.
The last verse of the hymn "O come O come Emmanuel" petitions the Savior to ransom captive Israel, mourning in lonely exile, recalling the time when God's people were held captive by another nation. The Scriptures suggest that God allowed the exile to happen because Israel had not been faithful. Whether or not God sanctioned that particular captivity, we know too well that we exile ourselves from God's presence by things done and left undone. Indeed, that is a lonely existence.
But our self-exile does not mean that God is not with us. We are never separated from the love of God.. The stunning proclamation of the Incarnation is that God has come, and come to stay. What all humanity has been looking for, expecting, desiring, is here. The waiting is over. Now our lives are different when we choose to live differently.
As the Eve of the Nativity ushers in the Twelve Days of Christmas, may the peace, wisdom, and hope of heaven surround us all. May the Holy Child break all chains, heal our infirmities, and lead us out of darkness.
Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you!
Hymn
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Let us pray May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. Amen. May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen. May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. Amen. And the blessing of God Almighty, (✚) the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
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