last week's candle of PEACE ~
may you be blessed
in your reflection and expectation,
in the preparation of your heart for the coming of JOY
this 3rd week as our journey takes a turn to celebration.
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;
2 to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn,
3 yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn,
giving them garlands instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness
planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
restore sites long destroyed;
they will renew the ruined cities,
destroyed many generations ago.
“For I, Adonai, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offerings.
So I will be faithful to reward them
and make an eternal covenant with them.”
9
Their descendants will be known among the nations,
their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them will acknowledge
that they are the seed Adonai has blessed.
10
I am so joyful in Adonai!
My soul rejoices in my God,
for he has clothed me in salvation,
dressed me with a robe of triumph,
like a bridegroom wearing a festive turban,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
11
For just as the earth brings forth its plants,
or a garden makes its plants spring up,
so Adonai, God, will cause victory and glory
to spring up before all nations.
Psalm 126
(0) A song of ascents:
(1)
When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
2
Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.
Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
3
Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.
4
Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.
5
Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
6
He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.
*
Luke 1:46-55
46 Then Miryam said,
“My soul magnifies Adonai;
47
and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
48
who has taken notice of his servant-girl
in her humble position.[a]
For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!
49
“The Mighty One has done great things for me!
Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation
he has mercy on those who fear him.[b]
51
“He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,
routed the secretly proud,
52
brought down rulers from their thrones,
raised up the humble,
53
filled the hungry with good things,
but sent the rich away empty.
54
“He has taken the part of his servant Isra’el,
mindful of the mercy
55
which he promised to our fathers,
to Avraham and his seed forever.”
*
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
19 Don’t quench the Spirit, 20 don’t despise inspired messages. 21 But do test everything — hold onto what is good, 22 but keep away from every form of evil.
23 May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 24 The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.
John 1:6-8
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light.
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
*
#SongsonSundays looks forward to your selection for this 3rd Advent week.
Ours?
A few variations on an Advent hymn written by Charles Wesley, published in 1744.
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
*
The double nature of Advent is reflected in this text, in which we remember Christ's first coming even while praying for his return.
The double nature of Advent is reflected in this text, in which we remember Christ's first coming even while praying for his return.
*
Stanzas 1 and 2 recall Advent prophecies in the Old Testament;
stanza 3 speaks of Christ's birth and kingdom, and
stanza 4 is a prayer for Christ's rule in our hearts.
Stanzas 1 and 2 recall Advent prophecies in the Old Testament;
stanza 3 speaks of Christ's birth and kingdom, and
stanza 4 is a prayer for Christ's rule in our hearts.
