Advent reflection day 23 – the final reflection…

Opening Prayer

Lord of light and the darkness,
May your Spirit guide our preparations for Christmas.
Help us to seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
In our anxiety may we look forward to your coming among us and be blessed by the joy of your presence.
When we feel as if we are walking in darkness may we see your light as we say,
“Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.

 

Verses Psalm 25

Refrain: Remember, Lord, your compassion and love.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you have I hoped all the day long.
Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.

As we approach our celebrations of the Christmas and recall the word of Graham Kenrick’s hymn:
From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

Let is also hear or read the remaining words of his and the compassion and love of God in Christ Jesus.

From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
‘Yet not My will but Yours, ‘ He said

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

Free us, God of mercy,
from all that keeps us from you;
relieve the misery of the anxious and the ashamed
and fill us with the hope of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Prayer Shared from ‘Reflection on the Psalms’ app. Material subject to copyright)

May God the Son, coming among us in power,
reveal in our midst the promise of his glory.

O Holy Night – King’s College, Cambridge

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim

Wishing you a blessed Christmas

Fr. Derek Akker