2nd Sunday of Advent

During this season of Advent we think about Christ's first coming in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago; his coming into our lives today; and his second coming in glory. He comes to us today in a special way when we receive Holy Communion. We approach the altar this Advent with the message of John the Baptist ringing in our ears: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.'



Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Liturgy of St. James, 4th Century (Σιγησάτο παρα σὰρξ βροτεία); trans lat ed from Greek to English by Gerard Moultrie, 1864.



Happy Sunday!