Scripture Reading
Isaiah 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.
Reflection
"O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, come and save us, O Lord our God." The final O Antiphon arrives the day before Christmas Eve: God-with-us. All the preceding titles — Wisdom, Lord of Might, Root, Key, Dayspring, King — converge in this one name. God is not a distant concept or a theological abstraction; he is with us, here, in this moment. Tomorrow night, the waiting ends.
Prayer for Today
Dear Heavenly Father, it's the first Sunday in Advent, a season of anticipation and celebrationa time to reflect on every good thing you've already done for us in Jesus, and the glorious things yet to be realized.
You've made promises you alone can keep; you give peace that can be found nowhere else; you've pledged a hope you alone can fulfill. We praise you; we bless you; we worship you. As Advent progresses, fill us to overflowing with gratitude, humility and
joy.
Father, grant us intense longingslike the ones that filled the heart of the prophets. The promise of grace and the Spirit of Christ thrilled them, as they anticipated the era of the Messiahthe time when you would begin to make all things new through
Jesus.
And grant us joy-filled intrigue, like that felt by the angels. Your heavenly servants were overwhelmed as they pondered your unfolding story of redemption and restoration, for men and creation. We are the people the prophets were speaking about. We are
the people angels envied. Hallelujah, many times over!
Lord Jesus, multiplied glories have already come to us, and many, many more will follow, all because of the sufferings you offered on our behalfonce and for all. Indeed, every promise God has made finds its Yes! in you. May this entire Advent season
bring us back to your manger, back to your cross, back to your empty tomb; and moving forward with you into your new creation story.
Long expected Jesus, you have come and you are coming again. You are the desire of every nation; you are the joy of every longing heart. By your all sufficient merit, you have raised us and you will raise us yet. So very Amen we pray, with gratitude and
anticipation, in your loving and triumphant name.
You've made promises you alone can keep; you give peace that can be found nowhere else; you've pledged a hope you alone can fulfill. We praise you; we bless you; we worship you. As Advent progresses, fill us to overflowing with gratitude, humility and
joy.
Father, grant us intense longingslike the ones that filled the heart of the prophets. The promise of grace and the Spirit of Christ thrilled them, as they anticipated the era of the Messiahthe time when you would begin to make all things new through
Jesus.
And grant us joy-filled intrigue, like that felt by the angels. Your heavenly servants were overwhelmed as they pondered your unfolding story of redemption and restoration, for men and creation. We are the people the prophets were speaking about. We are
the people angels envied. Hallelujah, many times over!
Lord Jesus, multiplied glories have already come to us, and many, many more will follow, all because of the sufferings you offered on our behalfonce and for all. Indeed, every promise God has made finds its Yes! in you. May this entire Advent season
bring us back to your manger, back to your cross, back to your empty tomb; and moving forward with you into your new creation story.
Long expected Jesus, you have come and you are coming again. You are the desire of every nation; you are the joy of every longing heart. By your all sufficient merit, you have raised us and you will raise us yet. So very Amen we pray, with gratitude and
anticipation, in your loving and triumphant name.
Amen.