December 4 marked the second Sunday of Advent 2011. Advent (which means “coming” or “arrival”) gives us an opportunity to reflect both on the story surrounding Christ’s birth as well as his promised return.
During Advent we remember Israel’s wait. “How long,” they asked, “until our promised Messiah comes to deliver his people?”
We, too, expect Christ’s arrival. The Messiah left heaven to be born a?poor infant, die our death and rise again. He promises to return in glory.
During Advent we yearn. We join the church’s ancient song, “How long until you come again to make all things new?”
We also prepare. In the midst of crowded days, we make room for our Redeemer, Restorer, Savior.
Wait. Expect. Yearn. Prepare. Jesus Christ “breaks into the darkness of our lives, bringing newness, life and hope.”
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – LM 88 88 (Veni Emmanuel), Words: Latin (12th century), Tune: “Processionale” (15th century), Adaptation: Thomas Helmore (1854), Adapted from an arrangement by Phil Wickham
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
David read from John 1:1-5.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Christ, Our Light by Martin Reardon
Throughout the Bible we see that God uses the metaphor of light to describe his character, particularly in regards to His Son, the Light of the World. With “The Christ, Our Light” we remember the darkness of our hearts apart from Christ.
When all was dark and without dawn
You gave us Light, you sent your Son.
The Christ, the Christ, He shines, He shines
and drives all dark away, away.
I Fear the Lord by David A. Cover, Patrick K. Miller and Christine Cover
heard the sound of Wisdom’s voice,
call me from my darkened path:
“Turn your heart at my reproof,
to the light of my word’s truth.”
You are my God!
Help me walk in your wisdom’s way.
You are my God!
Father, teach my heart to obey.
This is The Christ – Words: Martin Luther (1535), Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1855), Music: Sandra McCracken
Good news from heav’n the angels bring
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is giv’n,
To crown us with the joy of heav’n.
This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself our Saviour be,
From all our sins to set us free.
The Gospel Song by Drew Jones and Bob Kauflin
Holy God, in love, became
perfect Man to bear my blame.
On the cross He took my sin.
By His death I live again.
O Come, Let Us Adore Him – Words: John Francis Wade (c. 1743), Translation: C. Frederick Oakeley (1841), Music: Adeste Fideles
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Day of Christ by Andrew Camp, Christine Cover, David A. Cover, & Andrew Luley
“Day of Christ” was the second of two songs we sang from The Crossing Music’s new album The Shore. Several songs on the album highlight the saints’ anticipation of Jesus Christ’s promised return which is also a central theme in Advent.
Wading through the darkened tide,
waiting for this curse to die;
Day of Christ, arise on us,
illuminate Your promise.
We wait, we watch,
we long for Your kingdom!
We wait, we watch,
we long for You, Jesus.
Music and Tech Team for December 4, 2011:
Zach Burmaster – acoustic guitar, bass, vocals
Lacey Burrell – vocals
David Cover – electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
Ashley Gross – vocals
Mike Hill – horn
Rhett Johnson – electric and acoustic guitars
Scott Johnson – rhodes, keyboard, vocals
Andrew Luley – drums
Kameron Bong – stagehand
Jake Wandel – stage, light and media coordinator
Tim Worstell – sound
Gerik Parmele – photographer