Advent 2009

Tomorrow starts the Season of Advent in the church calendar.  I have already posted about some of what Advent means for me and this blog here.  Advent marks the beginning of the church year and is the period that leads up to Christmas and the celebration of the incarnation.  Advent is also a season of reflection, confession, reconciliation and healing.  Some of the themes we reflect upon during the season are sin and brokenness, what the world would be like without the incarnation, John the Baptist (who heralds the coming baby-King!) and also the second coming of Jesus–our eschatalogical hope!

I love the season of Advent and over the next four Sundays will be posting some prayers and reflections, as well as links to some of my favorite Advent sermons.  I hope you will join me on this Advent journey.

To begin, here is my favorite Advent hymn, written by one of my professors at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

My favorite Advent Hymn is “Come Lord Jesus, to Redeem Us” (Nettleton). The words are written by Gary Parrett (2001) and it is sung to the tune of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. The words are based on texts from Isaiah 40:3-5 and Revelation 22:17.

COME LORD JESUS, TO REDEEM US
Words by Gary A. Parrett (2001) 
Music: Nettleton (“Come Thou Fount?)
Public Domain

Come, Lord Jesus, to redeem us
from our foes and from our fears.
We await the hand of mercy
that will wipe away our tears.
We have labored long in darkness,
even now our hearts grow weak.
How we long for your appearing
and your full salvation seek.

Come, Lord Jesus, true and righteous,
bring your pure and perfect light.
For we know when you appear, Lord,
ev’ry wrong shall be made right.
You will vanquish all the proud ones.
You will fill all those who thirst.
O, the first shall be last, then,
and the last shall be first.

Now prepare a path before him.
In the desert, make a way.
Take the gospel to all nations
and proclaim the coming Day.
Ev’ry mountain must be leveled;
ev’ry valley must be raised.
Then all flesh shall see his glory!
God shall be forever praised.

Raise the cry of “Maranatha!?
We shall soon behold our King.
To the Alpha and Omega,
this one prayer and plea we sing:
Joining voices with the Spirit
we, the Bride of Christ, say “Come!?
Come Lord Jesus, to redeem us
from this death and bring us home