Devotion for Tuesday, December 19

During this Advent season, I invite you to ponder the words of these wonderful Advent Hymns!

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Dave  

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah

Light one candle to watch for Messiah: 

let the light banish darkness. 

He shall bring salvation to Israel, 

God fulfills the promise.

Light two candles to watch for Messiah: 

let the light banish darkness. 

He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, 

gently lead them homeward.

Light three candles to watch for Messiah: 

let the light banish darkness. 

Lift your heads and lift high the gateway 

for the King of glory.

Light four candles to watch for Messiah: 

let the light banish darkness. 

He is coming, tell the glad tidings. 

Let your light be shining.

Text: Wayne L. Wold (b. 1954)

Tune: Yiddish folk tune

Devotion for Monday, December 18

During this Advent season, I invite you to ponder the words of these wonderful Advent Hymns!

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Dave  

Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn

Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, for angels herald its dawning.

Sing out your joy, for soon he is born, behold! the Child of our longing.

Come as a baby weak and poor, to bring all hearts together,

he opens wide the heavenly door and lives now inside us forever.

To us, to all in sorrow and fear, Emmanuel comes a’singing,

His humble song is quiet and near, yet fills the earth with its ringing,

music to heal the broken soul and hymns of loving kindness,

the thunder of his anthems roll to shatter all hatred and blindness.

In darkest night his coming shall be, when all the world is despairing,

as morning light so quiet and free, so warm and gentle and caring.

Then shall the mute break forth in song, the lame shall leap in wonder,

the weak be raised above the strong, and weapons be broken asunder.

Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, though dark the winter and cheerless

the rising sun shall crown you with light, be strong and loving and fearless.

Love be our song and love our prayer and love our endless story;

May God fill every day we share and bring us at last into glory.

Music and Lyrics by Marty Haugen (b. 1950)

Devotion for Friday, December 15

During this Advent season, I invite you to ponder the words of these wonderful Advent Hymns!

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Dave  

O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

O Lord, how shall I meet you, 

How welcome you aright? 

Your people long to greet you, 

My hope, my heart's delight! 

Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,

Your lamp within my breast

To do in spirit lowly 

All that may please you best.

I lay in fetters, groaning; 

You came to set me free. 

I stood, my shame bemoaning; 

You came to honor me. 

A glorious crown you give me, 

A treasure safe on high 

That will not fail or leave me 

As earthly riches fly.

Love caused your incarnation; 

Love brought you down to me. 

Your thirst for my salvation 

Procured my liberty. 

Oh, love beyond all telling,

That led you to embrace 

In love, all love excelling, 

Our lost and fallen race.

Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted, 

Who sit in deepest gloom, 

Who mourn your joys departed 

And tremble at your doom. 

Despair not; he is near you, 

There, standing at the door,

Who best can help and cheer you 

And bids you weep no more.

Text: Paul Gerhardt (1607-1667)

Composer: Johann Cruger (1598-1662)

Devotion for Thursday, December 14

During this Advent season, I invite you to ponder the words of these wonderful Advent Hymns!

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Dave  

Hark the Glad Sound!

Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne
And every voice a song.

He comes the prisoners to release,

In Satan's bondage held.

The gates of brass before Him burst,

The iron fetters yield.

He comes from thickest films of vice

To clear the mental ray

And on the eyeballs of the blind

To pour celestial day.

He comes the broken heart to bind,

The bleeding soul to cure,

And with the treasures of His grace

To enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

Thy welcome shall proclaim

And heaven's eternal arches ring

With Thy beloved name.

Author: Philip Doddridge, 1735
Composer: Thomas Haweis, 1792