Advent Day 1

I am posting Bible passages and devotional links for the days of Advent. Advent is the beginning of our church year. It begins each year on a different date, but starts the first of four Sundays prior to Christmas; some years the last Sunday of Advent will also be Christmas Eve.

Jesse Tree, Day 1

Jesus’ Family Family Tree
Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 11:10
Jesse was King David’s father and the passage in Isaiah points out the Jesus was to be born through David’s family line.
Christ in Creation
Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-31, John 1:1-3; John 1:14

Daily Scritpure

Emanuel
Come, Lord Jesus! Prepare our hearts for your arrival.
Isaiah 63:16-19 and Isaiah 64:2-7

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Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
By: Laurentius Laurentii, 1660-1722

Rejoice, rejoice, believers, And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing, And darker night is near.
The bridegroom is arising And soon is drawing nigh.
Up, pray and watch and wrestle; At midnight comes the cry.

The watchers on the mountain Proclaim the bridegroom near;
Go forth as He approaches With alleluias clear.
The marriage feast is waiting; The gates wide open stand.
Arise, O heirs of glory; The bridegroom is at hand.

The saints, who here in patience Their cross and sufferings bore,
Shall live and reign forever When sorrow is no more.
Around the throne of glory The Lamb they shall behold;
In triumph cast before Him Their diadems of gold.

Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, O Sun so longed for, Over this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted, We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth’s redemption That sets Your people free!

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People, Look East
Words and Music: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), 1928

People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.

Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.

Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Music from Christmastide.
Seasonal Choral Music composed and conducted by K. Lee Scott and performed by the Lee Scott Singers. Lee is a friend of ours and if you enjoyed these pieces please show your love and buy a CD to play this season.