O Christ our Redeemer, Come.
The one who paid the price
With your life and death.
O Intercessor before the Father’s throne
To welcome us into our eternal home, come.
A sermon on Matthew 25:1-13
O Come, Emmanuel
O God Among Us, Come. Great king, who gives the Law To gather nations nigh, O Lord our God, Redeemer, To save your children, come. A sermon on Isaiah 7:14
O Come, King of Nations
12/25 (Isaiah 28:16)
O King of Nations, come.
The hope and cornerstone
Who makes from many, one,
You fashioned us in Eden –
Your earthly vessels, save.
O Come, Dayspring (Christmas Eve)
12/24 (Isaiah 9:2-7, especially 2)
O Glorious Dayspring, come.
The bright eternal light
And sun of righteousness,
On those who sit in darkness
And death’s dark shadow, shine.
O Come, Wisdom #5 - Waiting for Wisdom
We are now in the season of Advent. “Advent” means coming or arrival. This means that it is a season of anticipation, longing and hope. We look forward to and long for the coming of Christ even while we celebrate the fact that he came.
We sit right at the edge of our celebration of Christmas. It just a few days away now. It is so close we can almost taste it. Oh, how good it will be when he walks through the door and ushers us into eternity.
Today, Wisdom speaks to us through the Scriptures and tells us, “Blessed are those who wait at my door… for those who find me find life.”
O Come, Key of David
12/18 (Revelation 3:7-13)
O Key of David, come.
Unlock what none shall bind,
And lock what none shall loose:
The captives in the darkness
Imprisoned, now set free.
O Come, Wisdom #4 - Wisdom's Delight
The countdown is on. Each Sunday that passes in this season of Advent brings us one Sunday closer to our remembrance and celebration of Christmas. Hope begins to grow. Expectation and joy begin to increase. This only grows when we consider who Wisdom truly is: He is Christ, the Lord. The One who sits on heaven’s high throne. The One who gives all gifts for body and life, for soul and eternity. The One who is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly human being, in one person. Today, we learn another thing. He was there at the very beginning, creating this world together with the Father and the Spirit, delighting in what was being created and finding joy in us, the crown of God’s creation. He is Wisdom, the one who is delighted with us.
Today we see that Wisdom was not only there before the world was created, but he was also there at creation. He was constantly at the Father’s side, rejoicing in his presence and delighting in humankind.
O Come, Root of Jesse
12/11 (Isaiah 11:1-10)
O Root of Jesse, come.
This ensign raised for all
To whom the nations pray,
Before whom kings keep silent:
To rescue quickly come
O Come, Wisdom #3 - The Best Thing God Did
We are now in the season of Advent. “Advent” means coming or arrival. This means that it is a season of anticipation, longing and hope. We look forward to and long for the coming of Christ even while we celebrate the fact that he came.
Today, we meet John the Baptist who cries out, running ahead of Jesus, preparing the way for him. And what does he say? What does he tell us about Jesus, true Wisdom of God? He declare the greatness and eternity of Jesus, of Wisdom: “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me” (John 1:15). That was his clear and loud testimony. “I am not worthy to stoop down to untie his sandals” (Luke 3:16).
O Come, Adonai
12/4 (Exodus 3:1-14)
O Lord of Israel, come.
Through bushes breathing fire,
To Moses you gave Law;
O come, redeeming Ruler,
With arms outstretched to save.
New Series: O Come!
During Advent and Christmas, we will cry out, “O Come!” The title of the series comes from the O Antiphons. These are short sentences and prayers that historically have accompanied the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from Dec 17-23. These sentences embody a a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
Beginning on Christ the King Sunday (11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22)
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
12/4 (Exodus 3:1-14)
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
12/11 (Isaiah 11:1-10)
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
12/18 (Revelation 4:1-8)
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
12/24 (Isaiah 9:2-7
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
12/25 (Isaiah 28:16)
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
12/29 (Isaiah 7:14)
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!