Swept Away
He sweeps away in judgment, he gathers with joy–the very same word. The sorrowful joy of the Son, the joyful sorrow of the Father. We rejoice, because Jesus can sweep away our sin.
Season of Advent
Mary’s Song † Amazing Love
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. ~ Mary’s Song (The Magnificat)
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The Salvation of God
The intersection of the secular and the religious: At Christ’s first Advent John the Baptist proclaimed the immanence of the Savior’s coming into the world to a people ruled by one Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee. As we anticipate Christ’s second Advent during this Advent Season, we recognize that we still need a Savior–one who will again intersect our world with His coming in glory, as the dead are raised and the saints receive the inheritance of the world to come.
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Zechariah’s Song † Amazing Gift
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.
~ Zechariah’s Song (Benedictus)
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Advent Preparations
Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
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