Advent 7

Song

Psalm

O Lord, hear my voice when I call;
have mercy and answer.
Of you my heart has spoken:
Seek God’s face.

Instruct me, Lord, in your way
on an even path lead me.
False witnesses rise against me,
breathing out fury.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
In the Lord, hold firm and take heart.
Hope in the Lord!

Reading

Be patient, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

or

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.

Song

Silence

Litany of praise

Christ Jesus, sent into the world so that we may live through you:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, you remain alongside all whose life is held in contempt:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, you establish a new covenant with us that will never be broken:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, you enlighten the eyes of all who are in darkness:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, you make our deserts blossom; you lead us towards the land of gladness:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, Good News will be proclaimed to the poor and freedom to prisoners:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, broken hearts will be healed, the starving filled:
—Lord, come soon!

Christ Jesus, the paths will be levelled and your glory will dwell in our land:
—Lord, come soon!

Our Father

Prayer

Jesus, love of all loving, in the ploughed-up earth of our lives you come to plant the trusting of faith. A small seed at first, faith can become within us one of the most unmistakable Gospel realities. It keeps alive the inexhaustible goodness of a human heart.

or

Bless us, Christ Jesus; in you our hearts find peace.

Songs