Orkney Islands - 27

My favourite paintings in the Italian Chapel are those depicting the four Evangelists. This is most appropriate, because many of us like to keep the Second Sunday of Advent as Bible Sunday.



Here we see St Matthew - whose Gospel we are reading on Sundays in this Year A. In fact many of our weekday readings during Advent are also taken from Matthew. He is always our guide during the summer months of Ordinary Time.

I love the Book of Common Prayer collect for this week:

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now we have a special hymn for this Second Week of Advent.

Lord, thy Word abideth,
and our footsteps guideth;
who its truth believeth
light and joy receiveth.

When our foes are near us,
then thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
message of salvation.

When the storms are o'er us,
and dark clouds before us,
then its light directeth,
and our way protecteth.

Who can tell the pleasure,
who recount the treasure,
by thy Word imparted
to the simple-hearted?

Word of mercy, giving
succor to the living;
word of life, supplying
comfort to the dying!

O that we, discerning,
its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear thee,
evermore be near thee!

Henry Williams Baker, 1861



Praise the Lord! Alleluia!