Introduction: For hundreds of years many Christian traditions have read passages of scripture using a tool called a lectionary. This Advent season our devotional team decided to resource you with selections from the Revised Common Lectionary. You will encounter texts from the Psalms, the Prophets, and the New Testament as well as formal prayers. Each text has been selected to build anticipation for the coming of Christ – the Light of the World – amid the dark, cold days of winter. Reflect on the first coming of Christ while yearning for his second coming.

Note. If you desire to read these passages in a different version of the Bible, this link will provide all the readings for week 1 in Bible Gateway where you may also choose other versions of these passages.)

 

Isaiah 64:1-9

64:1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence–

64:2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil– to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

64:3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

64:4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.

64:5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.

64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

64:7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

64:9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Source: Year B – Advent : Revised Common Lectionary


This text is filled with longing! What issue in your life or in the world do you long for God to come and heal? Let that longing grow as you read the lyrics to this Hymn. Advent is all about longing for God to come!


Break, day of God, O break, The night has lingered long

Author: Henry Burton

1 Break, day of God, O break!

The night has lingered long,

our hearts with sighing wake;

we weep for sin and wrong:

O bright and Morning star, draw near;

O Sun of Righteousness, appear.


2 Break, day of God, O break!

The earth with strife is worn;

the hills with thunder shake,

hearts of the people mourn:

break, day of God, sweet day of peace,

and bid the shout of warriors cease.


3 Break, day of God, O break,

like to the days above!

Let purity awake,

and faith, and hope, and love.

But lo! We see the brightening sky;

the golden morn is drawing nigh.