What Sweeter Music

What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our heav'nly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!
Heart, ear and eye and ev'rything.
Awake! The while the active finger
Runs division with the singer.

- Michael Fink

There is no rose

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
For in this rose contained was heaven and earth in little space.
Res miranda (a wonderful thing).

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
By that rose we may well see that He is God in persons three.
Pari forma (of the same form).
The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gaudeamus (letus rejoice).

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
Leave me all this worldly mirth, and follow we this joyful birth;
Transeamus (let us go).

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.

- Howard Helvey
Words traditional 15th-century carol

In this Season

In this season of bleak sun and chilling wind a voice of infinite warmth and tenderness is heard: "I shall comfort my people." It is God come to us in splendid mercy, in human form. Let God gather you as a shepherd sweeps up a lamb into his arms.

There, rest in joy.

Let us worship the good Shepherd who gathers us unto himself.

Advent - The Word

When God begot His first-born Son on earth,
He called us to assist the wondrous birth.
What good is Mary's greeting, Gabriel,
If you be not my messenger as well?

- Angelus Silesius (1624-1677)

The Good Shepherd - A Prayer

All we like sheep have strayed from the Good Shepherd.
We have often forsaken the Shepherd's voice, each following our own way.
Let us ask for God's mercy and blessing.

O Spirit of the Shepherd God,
Bend over us, as angels brushing low.
Open our eyes to the splendor!

Bid us rise to our feed, as the shepherds rose out of fear,
Rising into the peace and the favor of God.

O Spirit of the Shepherd God,
Bend over us, as angels brushing low.

Then send us, too, seeking Christ in humble please.
With glad hearts we stand ready to welcome your Son.

Glory to God in the highest!

A Communion Prayer

Bountiful God, we give you thanks for the gift of our Savior's presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal. Unite us with all who are fed by Christ, that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of your love in an uncertain world.

Amen.

Good Christians, all Rejoice!

Good Christians, all rejoice!
With heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain his everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

- In Dulci Jubilo

Advent - A time of Anticipation

Advent is a time of anticipation, a time to give concrete form to spiritual concepts.

It is a time when feelings become gifts, thoughts become prayers, and faith becomes loving action.

It is a time when we remember that God's gift of light became known to us through Jesus Christ.

As quietly as the winter steals upon us, this season of light approaches.

We wait for our Redeemer, for God's promises to be fulfilled.

The day is coming quickly!
The God of mercy draws near.

Therefore we wait with joy, attentive to all the signs of God's coming.

Christmas Comes Again This Year

Christmas comes again this year.
It is coming, ready or not.
Christ is coming, ready or not.
He's the one for whom we have no room,
Not then, not now, not ever.
Until we take His Advent
Seriously.

- Wayne Saffe