Advent Season

[SPALATIN]

Hi all, I have posted in the Weekly Devotions thread in the permanent threads. This reading comes from the Lectionary suggestion for todays date in the new Lutheran Service Book.

I would like this thread to be a sharing if you will, of the significance of this time of year to you. What do you reflect on at Advent? For me Advent has become a time to look forward to the second coming of Christ. We are told that we will not know the day or hour he will come, but that we need to be prepared for him at all times.

God in his mercy gives us the faith and power we need to be obedient to him. As Lutherans we know that we can't do it without God's help.

O Lord in your Mercy Hear our prayer.

[filosofer]

Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the liturgical year. Traditionally the color is purple, for royalty and for repentance. Our Advent watch is two-fold, remembering the first Advent when the Son took on human flesh, and looking forward expectantly for Christ's second Advent at the end (Hebrews 9:28 ) . Our waiting and watching for the King to come is focused on hope and humility. We prepare by confessing our sins. In the last 30 years the color has changed to be blue, thus distinguishing itself a little from the Lenten color of purple (also a time of repentance and preparation).

One of the things I enjoy most are Advent hymns. It's too bad that so many Christians want to start singing Christmas hymns/songs right after Thanksgiving. The Advent hymns are great and add a dimension to our worship, and then the Christmas hymns become even more meaningful because they built on the growing anticipation of Advent singing.

Here are a few Advent hymns:

The Advent of Our God
Savior of the Nations, Come
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
Hosanna Now Through Advent
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
O Bride of Christ, Rejoice
Come, O Long-Expected Jesus
Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates
Come, Comfort These My People
Hark the Glad Sound
Once He Came in Blessing
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel (yes, an Advent hymn, not a Christmas hymn)
Come, O Precious Ransom

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Favorite Advent Hymns:

Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People (Isaiah 40:1-8 )
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (Psalm 24)
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel (all seven stanzas) (Isaiah 59:29)
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3)
Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18 )
The Advent of Our King (Zechariah 9:9)
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (Isaiah 21:11)

Other Advent hymns I like

Behold, Branch is Growing (Isaiah 11:1-2)
Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come (Matthew 21:5)
Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring (Zechariah 9:9)
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee (Matthew 21:1-9)
Hark, a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (Romans 13:11)
Hosanna to the Living Lord (Matthew 21:9)


Christmas Hymns

Now Sing We, Now Rejoice (Luke 2:1-14 - perhaps my favorite of all)
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come (all 15 stanzas) (Luke 2:1-18 )
Angels from the Realms of Glory (Luke 2)
Angels We Have Heard on High (Luke 2)
Joy to the World (Luke 2:10; Psalm 98 )
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Luke 2:14)
Savior of the Nations, Come (John 1:14) - written by Ambrose prior to AD 397
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful (Luke 2:15)
To Shepherds as They Watched by Night (Luke 2:10-11)
To People That in Darkness Sat (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16)
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Luke 2:8 )
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

A Great and Mighty Wonder (1 Timothy 3:16)
Once in Royal David's City (Luke 2)
Rejoice, Rejoice, This Happy Morn (Luke 2:11)
Let Us All with Gladsome Voice (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Now Are the Days Fulfilled (Colossians 4:4)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen


And of course, I could go on...

But, just the Scriptural texts that form the basis and core stanzas of these hymns provides a great witness opportunity.

Probably more than you asked for!

In Christ's love,
filo

[KagomeShuko]

Advent is my FAVORITE season of the church year. It focuses on the anticipation of the first coming of Christ and it also brings the anticipation and hope that we should have all year long about the second coming of Christ. I love the feeling of waiting, anticipation, and preparation that Advent brings. People always seem busy preparing things. . .such a wonderful time.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Jim47]

Advent and Lent are my two favorite seasons, with Lent being my favorite, but only because I wait all year for the reading of the Passion history at each mid-week Lenton service.

Of course nothing can replace the joy we have as we eagerly await the celebration of that most precious of all gifts, Christ Our Savior. I never cease to stand in awe at God's great work of Salvation and love for a people who deserve only His righteous rath, and shudder at a world of unbeievers and people who think that they are able to pick apart God's Word.


I pray for all who are members of this forum and for Christians everywhere, that we may faithfully proclaim "The whole of God's Word" to all, even if His Word falls in deaf ears.

Come Lord Jesus, Come.

Isaiah 7:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=7&verse=14&version=31&context=verse)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=9&verse=6&version=31&context=verse)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.