Topics of inspiration, celebration of God’s love in ourself and others.
O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the Nations, Savior of all People, come and set us free, Lord our God.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from dust!
O King of us all.
I find myself standing before
your strength and splendor
watching, waiting
and filled with total joy.
You have lifted my mind in hope.
Now help me to open my life
the coming of the Spirit.
I want to be like Mary, your mother.
Her wonderful courage and strength
inspire me to do the same.
She simply said Yes
and the impossible was done.
Thank you for this Advent journey.
The anticipation has filled my life
and made me long for
a closer relationship with you.
My life gets so busy that I forget to focus.
Thank you for your guidance.
Thank you for the quiet moments
when I have felt your love.
Nothing will be impossible with God.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Jesus, King of all nations, shine your light on all my allegiances, and show me how they should be ordered. Help me serve your nation – the church – better than I have. Show me how and where to devote myself and my abilities. Every day it becomes more and more important to celebrate anything that makes us think beyond what it means to be an American in order to become a wild, loving Christian let loose in the world to fill it with love.
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
O Jesus, you hold the key
that will unlock my constricted heart.
It gives me great hope
that Mary said yes to you and your plan.
She was filled with the Spirit
and put aside her own doubts.
I know you are ready to answer my prayers,
ease my doubts and calm my fears.
Sometimes I don’t hear your messengers
because they aren’t what I expect.
They aren’t wearing wings or halos
but are the people standing in front of me.
How many times have I not listened?
How often have I balked at your messages
and your messengers?
Fill me with the light of your Spirit
and enter, in all your glory
into my life.
Let me rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Spend some time reflecting on the things in your life that “chain” you down that you wish Jesus to remove. Invite the Spirit to convict us only in a manner that invites healing. Christ is the Key who can free us from every prison and all forms of darkness
O Root of Jesse which stands as a sign among the peoples; before whom the kings keep silence, and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come and save us, and do not delay.
O Jesus who descended from Jesse,
you are a sign of God’s love.
I feel hopeful and expectant,
filled with a rebirth of joy and love.
I depend on you so much.
You are a rock for my belief
and a sign of God’s love.
Fill me with your praise!
I want to sing your glory,
filled with joy
for the message of hope you send.
I don’t always understand
when you are acting on my behalf.
Thank you for the message of hope you send me.
Give me true faith and love
as I celebrate the mystery
of how you came to be with us.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Take a walk in nature, ponder about all the things with roots and steam – how they grow and flourish with the help of water and sunlight. Recall one way the Lord has helped you flourish over this past year.
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
O Adonai, dearest Lord,
Compassionate God of justice,
so many areas of my life seem imprisoned
but you promise me real freedom
and peace in my life.
Renew my spirit and free my soul.
Please, open my heart which you have bathed in the longing of Advent.
I am awe-struck as your glory fills the earth and I want to follow you in caring for other.
Grant me the grace to see how you shine your light on the poor who have such a special place in your heart.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Light a candle today and read the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3. Let the flame of that candle remind you of the way God first revealed himself to Moses on Mount Sinai. Ponder, also, of the day he gave Moses the Ten Commandments, “in cloud and majesty and awe” as the hymn says. Read the commandments together and vow to keep them better.
Advent is the coming of Christ into this world. Did you know there are 198 different names and titles for Jesus in the Sacred Scriptures? They each describe different characteristics of God and his desire for a relationship with us by uniting divinity with humanity in Jesus. Since at least the eighth century, the Catholic Church has been singing the “O Antiphons;” the mystery of Christ in our salvation history. The coming of the Son of God in our human nature culminates in the solemn chant of the O’Antiphons from December 17 to 23. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love, come to teach us the path of knowledge!
Oh, come, that wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and I; to us, the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
Lord Jesus Christ, so many times we seek the wisdom of this world for guidance in our lives. Come into our lives this advent, that we might know God’s will for our lives with the wisdom that only you can give. In your holy names, we pray Amen.
As we come together in reverence and praise, let us turn our hearts to the God of wisdom. Like a loving parent, He blesses us, knowing our history and guiding our paths. We thank Him for the peace He promises and the strength of His great power. Let us seek the wisdom and courage to serve Him humbly, following the example of those who have come before us. Join me in this prayer of gratitude and devotion, as we rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel, God with us!
Oh, God of wisdom,
I want to praise you and give you my life.
Like a loving parent,
you bless me.
You have watched over me,
knowing my history
and the path that led me to you.
Thank you for the peace
you promise peace in my life.
I ask that I be always aware
of the strength of your great power.
May it never leave me.
So many people before me
in so many generations,
have served you so humbly,
answering your call.
Please give me the wisdom and courage
to be your humble servant.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
As we gather in reflection and gratitude, let us lift our hearts to the Lord, acknowledging the countless blessings He bestows upon us each day. In His great love, we find joy, protection, and healing.
Let us rejoice in our hearts with expectation as we watch for sign of God’s coming. Let’s receive His immense love, embracing the freedom and peace that comes from His presence. Join me in this prayer of thanksgiving and openness to God’s boundless grace.
I lift my heart up to you, Lord,
to thank you for the blessings
you shower on me each day.
You are the ‘joy of my soul.’
I know that in your great love,
I am held and protected by you.
I pray and listen to the good news you send;
I ask and feel the healing.
I am freed by you
from the things in this world
that let me hide from you.
I rejoice, I rejoice, down to my soul.
Help me to prepare my heart
to be open and able to receive your immense love.
In times of fear and weakness, we seek the God of Strength for courage and support with grateful hearts. Recognizing our own limitations, we find comfort in His promise to strengthen and save us. As we await the arrival of His Son, we pray for the humility to seek His help and the openness to accept His healing and love in our lives.
God of Strength,
I need your courage.
You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.
Only you know how frightened I so often am.
And you do offer me strength.
There is the promise of your Son’s coming
and knowing that you will save me.
I can’t do this on my own
no matter how often I think I can.
Give me the humility to ask for your help
and open heart to accept
your healing and love in my life.
Smitten With Goodness 