Sunday, November 29, 2009

November 29, 2009

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and every day between now and Christmas, I invite you to join me in these special prayers of waiting and anticipation. Some will be prayers about our pace and the things we do this season while others will include some classics from a variety of traditions to help focus us on Christ's coming birth and promised return.

Here is today's prayer (The Great "O" Antiphons):

O Wisdom,
Holy Word of God
You rule all creation with power and true concern.
- Come teach us the way of salvation.

O Sacred Lord
and leader of ancient Israel
You communicated with Moses at the burning bush
and gave him the law on Mount Sinai
- Come to set us free by Your mighty arm

O Root of Jesse
raised up as a sign of all peoples
in Your presence kings become mute
and the nations worship before You
- Come to deliver us and do not delay

O Key of David
and Royal Power of Israel,
You open what no man can shut,
and You shut what no man can open.
- Come and deliver Your people
imprisoned by darkness and the shadow of death

O Radiant Dawn
You are the brightness of eternal light
and the Sun of justice.
- Come to enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death

O King of the Gentiles
and the long-for Ruler of the nations,
You are the cornerstone Who make all one.
- Come and save those whom You have created

O Emmanuel
our King and our Lawgiver
You are the Desired of the nations
and the Savior of all men.
- Come to save us, O Lord, our God!

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