A Time of Hope

The first Sunday in Advent stirs up all sorts of hopeful, joyful feelings of the season to come! I'm singing this Sunday morning, and I wanted to have lyrics that matched the Prayer of the Day, the first reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel text. Whew!

I read through all the Scripture, and once I figured out that "HOPE" did not below at the END of a sentence (YOU try incorporating antelope, cantaloupe, envelope, microscope, etc. into a rhyme scheme!), I melded all the thoughts and concepts into the following three verses:

A Time of Hope
Tune: Jesus Shall Reign

A time of hope, now that Advent is here,
Stand, lift your heads, redemption's near.
As we prepare for the coming of our Lord,
C0me and rejoice, our King adored.

Stir up your power, Lord Jesus, and come,
Your mercy helps us overcome.
Show us the threatening dangers of our sins,
Redeem our hearts, and reign within.

God's promise turns darkness into light,
The coming kingdom, now in sight.
Watching and waiting, placing trust in God above,
A time of hope, a time of love.

First Reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16
Psalm: Psalm 25:1-10
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
Prayer of the Day: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.