Perhaps it is writer's block, perhaps it is being too busy at work, perhaps it is being distracted by deer season and the lure of God's sacred woods, perhaps it is just plain laziness, or maybe, just maybe, it is trying to focus upon heavenly things, but whatever it is, I've not been motivated to write much about the ongoing Anglican soap opera. Today is no different. I choose to think that I've been, as C.S. Lewis once wrote, "aiming at heaven." Indeed I've been writing my monthly "reflection" for our parish newsletter and two meditations to be published as part of our annual parish Lenten meditation phamplet. Those were far more productive outlets for my creative juices.
With the arrival of Advent Christians turn their attention to preparation for the coming of the Messiah, God's greatest gift and expression of his steadfast love for his mirror image in creation. Yesterday's processional hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," sets the stage for this holy season so wonderfully and clearly calls upon us to aim at heaven. I share the words of the hymn and wish all a blessed Advent.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
REFRAIN: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
(Refrain)
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
(Refrain)
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Refrain)
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Refrain)
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
(Refrain)
O come, Thou Root of Jesse's tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
(Refrain)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Refrain)
God's peace. <><
