simply, Christian
the third Sunday in Advent
contemplating collects
Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers, and lighten the darkness of our hearts, by Thy gracious visitation; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
-- Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church
Winter is a time of physical darkness--short . . .
the second Sunday in Advent
contemplating collects
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine Only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
-- Common Service Book . . .
the first Sunday in Advent
contemplating collects
Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come; that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
-- Common Service Book of the Lutheran . . .
contemplating collects
musings on our inherited weekly prayers
For some time now, the blog Anglican Pastor has featured an on-going series titled, "Collect Reflections" in which the weekly collects from the Book of Common Prayer are posted, explained, and thoughtfully considered.
Those unfamiliar with the term 'collect' might ask, "What exactly is a collect?" . . .
"O Emmanuel..."
advent antiphons
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel.
-- Isaiah 7.14 (NKJV)
Today we pray for Christ's coming:
O Emmanuel, our king
and our lawgiver,
the anointed of the nations
and their . . .
"O King of the Nations..."
advent antiphons
He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore...
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
. . .
"O Dayspring..."
advent antiphons
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
-- Isaiah 9.2 (NKJV)
Today we pray for Christ's coming:
O Dayspring,
splendor of light everlasting:
Come and enlighten those
who . . .