ADVENT SERVICE – YEAR B

Scripture, Reflections and Music Suggestions

Procession of Light
Warm the Time of Winter (Lori True)

Eager Welcome (Opening Prayer)
Open our hearts in welcome (Opening Prayer)
Opening Prayer and Gesture

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
to you I lift my soul (Psalm 24)
Responsorial Psalm To You, O Lord (Marty Haugen)

Make more and more progress in the life that you are meant to live (1 Thess.3)
Take Me As I Am (John Bell)

Stay awake … praying at all times (Luke 21:36)
.. if there is anything you need, pray for it (Phil 4)
Wait for the Lord (Taizé)

Take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God forever (Baruch 5:1)
Action of Undressing and Dressing

What marvels the Lord worked for us (Psalm 125)
Responsorial Psalm What Marvels the Lord Worked (Cyril Murphy)

Rejoice in the Lord always (Entrance Antiphon)
Rejoice in the Lord always (Round)
Rejoice, Rejoice (Messiah – Handel)

My prayer is that your love for each other will increase more and more (Phil 1)
Our real journey in life is interior; it is a matter of growth, of deepening, and of even greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts. (Thomas Merton)
The language that God hears best is the silent language of love. (St. John of the Cross)
Word of the Father (Iona Community)

Prepare a way for the Lord …winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth (Luke 3)
Ullmhaigi Bothar an Tiarna (Máire Ni Dhuibhir)
Prepare the Way of the Lord (Godspell)

He will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival (Zeph 3:18)
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12)
We Shall Draw Water Joyfully (Paul Inwood)

If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same (Luke 3:10)
Trócaire Christmas Gifts

Let the clouds rain down the just one (Entrance Antiphon)
Rorate Coeli (Plainchant)

He will stand and feed his flock … He himself will be peace (Micah 5)
There is in the centre of the soul a chamber of peace where God dwells, and where, if he will only enter and hush every other sound, we will hear his still small voice. There is in the swiftest wheel that revolves on its axis, a place in the very centre where there is no movement at all; and so in the busiest life there is a place where we can dwell alone with God in eternal stillness. There is only one way to know God, “Be still and know”. God is in his holy temple, let the earth keep silence before Him. (C.E.Cowman)

Bring us back (Psalm 79)
Save Us O Lord (Bob Dufford)

Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1)
Magnificat (John Michael Talbot)

And she will call him Emmanuel (Communion Antiphon)
No-one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything, look down on others, those who have no need even of God – for them there will be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf, will have that someone. That someone is God, Emmanuel, God-with us. Without poverty of Spirit, there can be no abundance of God. (Oscar Romero)
O Come Emmanuel (French Traditional)
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ADVENT SERVICE 2007

Gathering Song Wait For The Lord (Taizé)

All say: Wait for the Lord, his day is near
Wait for the Lord, be strong take heart.

Reading James 5:7-8
Be patient

Instrumental Cantiga de Sancta Maria (Spanish)

Reflection A Poem of Ephrem the Syrian, From Hymns on the Nativity No 15.
(which he places in the mouth of Mary)

“With You I shall begin,
and I trust that with You I shall end.
I shall open my mouth,
and You fill my mouth.
I am for you the earth
and You are the farmer.
Sow in me your voice,
You who are the sower of Himself in His mother’s womb.

All the chaste daughters of the Hebrews
and virgin daughters of rulers
are amazed at me.
Because of You,

A daughter of the poor is envied.
Because of You,
a daughter of the weak is an object of jealousy.
Who gave You to me?

Son of the Rich One,
Who despised the womb of rich women,
what drew You toward the poor?
For Joseph is needy,
and I am impoverished.
Your merchants (the Magi)
Brought gold to a house of the poor…
Blessed be the Babe
Who made His mother the lyre of His melodies.”

Song Teacht Chríost (Padraig Mac Piarais/Sr. Colmcille Ní Chonáin)
I cleaned my heart tonight before the arrival of the child – I opened the door of my heart – do not pass me by.
Prayer
All say: God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading Luke 1:26-38
Mary do not be afraid

Song Holy Is His Name (John Michael Talbot)
All sing:
And holy, holy, holy is his name.

Reflection Advent 1948 (Jessica Powers)
I live my Advent in the womb of Mary.
And on one night when a great star swings free
from its high mooring and walks down the sky
to be the dot above the Christus i,
I shall be born of her by blessed grace.
I wait in Mary-darkness, faith’s walled place,
with hope’s expectance of nativity.
I knew for long she carried me and fed me,
guarded and loved me, though I could not see.
But only now, with inward jubilee,
I come upon earth’s most amazing knowledge:
someone is hidden in this dark with me.

Song Muire Bheannaithe (Eamonn Ó Gallchobhair)

Prayer
All say: Lord of hope and joy,
We pray that the unfolding days of Advent
may open up possibilities for deepening our appreciation of the precious gift that is Jesus, your loving Son. Hold us in a spirit of anticipation that we may truly rejoice on Christmas Day at the wonder of the eternal promise He brings.

Reading Matthew 1:18-25
..the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream

Song Voice of an Angel (Liam Lawton)

Reflection The Rose Project

Song Come to us, O Emmanuel (Marty Haugen)
All sing:
Come to us, O Emmanuel

Prayer
All say: Lord God, so often in the bible you tell us not to fear, that you are here, and that you are in control. Often our lives seem out of control, manipulated by others. That is when we fear. You sent an angel to Joseph to reassure him and to point him in the right direction. May we be open to the message of the angels you send to us today to remind us of your presence. Come to us, O Emmanuel, God-is-with-us.

Song Tar Emmanuel (Traidisiúnta)
All sing:
Déan gáirdeachas, a Iosráel, mar béarfar duit Emmanuel

Reading John 1:1-18
The Word was the true light

Song Warm the Time of Winter (Lori True)
All sing:
Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter
Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter

Reflection The Gifts of Mother and Baby Care – Trócaire

Reading Matthew 1:18-24

Song Advent Psalm (Norman Warren)

Reflection St. John of the Cross
The Virgin, weighed
With the Word of God
Comes down the road:
If only you will shelter her.!

Invocations Kyrie (Jean-Paul Lécot)
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and prince of Peace
Lord Jesus, your are Son of God and Son of Mary
Lord Jesus, you are word made flesh and splendour of the Father
All sing: Kyrie eleison – Christe eleison – Kyrie eleison

Concluding Prayer

Blessing of Festive Fare

Final Song Wait For The Lord (Taizé)
All sing:
Wait for the Lord, his day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong take heart

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Prepare a Way

Opening Hymn: Wait for the Lord
Church in darkness – candles – procession

Introduction
The theme for this evening’s service is “there is a way.” There are so many voices of despair in the world around us, telling us it is no good. Perhaps even that voice speaks within us; “How can I prepare a way, when there is no way forward, nothing will change.”

The message of Advent and Christmas is a message of light and hope. We are told “A voice cries in the wilderness… Prepare a Way.” There is a way forward. “A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower it… to all who did believe in him he gave power to become children of God.”

So the readings of Advent tell us to “throw away the cloak of despondency, take off your dress of sorrow and distress… Rejoice, exult with all your heart. The Lord is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love.”

This evening we invite you to make that journey from darkness to light, to ask the despondency within you to move aside so that your hearts can be open to the hope that Christ always brings when he comes – and he is coming. Someone once said….

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That’s why we call it the present!

So as we light the Advent Candle and let its light shine on us, we invite Christ, in song, to come to each of us and to our world.

Hymn: Light the Advent Candle

Reading
A voice cries in the wilderness,
Prepare a way for the Lord,
Make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
Every mountain and hill be laid low,
Winding ways will be straightened
And rough roads made smooth.
And every single person in all of humanity will see the salvation of God.

Hymn: Come thou long expected Jesus

Reflection: You say, God says
You say: “I cant manage.”
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Phil 4:19)
You say: “I cant do it.”
God says: You can do all things in me. (Phil 4:13)
You say: “Its impossible.”
God says: All things are possible with me. (Luke 18:27)
You say: “I cant forgive myself.”
God says: I forgive you. (I John 1:9)
You say: “I feel worthless.”
God says: You are my work of art. (Eph. 2:10)
You say: “I cant figure things out.”
God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: “Im too tired.”
God says: I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28-20)
You say: “I cant go on.”
God says: My grace is sufficient for you. (II Cor.12: 9)
You say: “Im afraid.”
God says: I did not give you a spirit of fear. (II Tim. 1:7)
You say: “Im always worried and frustrated.”
God says: Cast all your anxieties on me. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: “I feel all alone.”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)
You say: “Nobody really loves me.”
God says: I love you. (John 3:16; John 13:34)

Hymn: I Love you Lord
Reading : Isaiah 9
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase,
as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are enjoying the spoils.

For there is a child born for us, a son given to us
and dominion is laid on his shoulders;
and this is the name they give him:
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Hymn: The Angel Gabriel from heaven came 

Reflection: The Power of One
Mary – her yes, our yes
While reading this slowly a candle is brought forward in procession for each thing and placed in front of the altar

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make the difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Hymn: Light of the World

Reading : Baruch 5

As voice-over, with background music and mime

Jerusalem , take off your dress of sorrow and distress,
Put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever,
Wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you,
Put the crown of the glory of the Eternal on your head,
Since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven.
Look Jerusalem , turn your eyes to the east,
See your children returning from west and east,
At the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them…

Hymn: The lovely rose is sprung

Reading : Zephaniah 3
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion ,
shout aloud!
Rejoice, exult with all your heart.
The Lord is in your midst,
You have no more evil to fear.
Do not let your hands go limp,
The Lord God is in your midst.
He will exult with joy over you,
He will renew you by his love;
He will dance with shouts of joy for you
As on a day of festival

Hymn: I Will Celebrate 

Dancing up aisle, throwing rose petals

Reflection leading to intercessions:

An old rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun. Could it be, asked one of the students, “when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether its a sheep or a dog” No, answered the rabbi. Another asked, “is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether its a fig tree or a peach tree? “No”, answered the rabbi. Then when is it?” the pupils demanded. Its when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that it is your sister or brother. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night. Tales of the Hasidim

Let us pray now that our eyes and the eyes of all people may be opened to a new day; we pray for hope, for peace, for reconciliation, that we may all live caring for our brothers and sisters.

Intercessions: Response – Lord Hear our Prayer ( Lawton )

Reflection: How do we prepare a way?

Here is some advice: it’s called “A creed to live by.”

Dont undermine your worthby comparing yourself withothers,
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Dont set your goals by what other people feel important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Dont take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would to life,
For without them life is meaningless.
Dont let your life slip through your fingers,
by living in the past or in the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Dont give up when you still havesomething to give.
Nothing is really over ……
until the moment you stop trying.
Dont be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,
it is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Dont be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Dont shut love out of your life by saying its impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive loveis to give love;
the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly,
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Dont dismissyour dreams.
To be withoutdreams is to be withouthope;
to be withouthope is to be without purpose.
Dont runthrough life so fast that you forget not only where youve been
but also where you’regoing.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured
each step of the way.

Sing Our Father

It is this journey we make, as children of God, lead by a Father who loves us, a Son who walks with us, and a Spirit that inspires us to hope. So we stand now and sing together with confidence to our Father

Final Prayer
God our Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son,
We thank you for this Holy Season, as we prepare to welcome Him once more among us in the form of a newborn infant.
We remember that each day He comes to us, if we are open to him,
Inviting us to walk with Him on a journey of hope, joy and love.
Help us Lord to truly make him welcome, that he may find a home in our hearts, our homes, in our communities, our world,
So that we may live truly as God’s holy people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Hymn: Shout to the Lord

Blessing of Christmas Fare + Advent Blessing
Lord, we ask you to bless this Advent fare,
To bless all those who prepared it,
and all those who offer us hospitality and warmth in Christ’s name.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Bow your heads and pray for God’s Blessing

You believe that the Son of God once came to us;
You look for him to come again.
May his coming bring you the light of his holiness
And free you with his blessing.
Amen

May God make you steadfast in faith,
Joyful in hope, and untiring in love
All the days of your life.
Amen

You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as man.
When he comes again in glory,
May he reward you with endless life.
Amen

May almighty God bless you,
The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Final Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel

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DIOCESAN ADVENT SERVICE – 2005 – YEAR A

Entrance Song Come To Us O Emmanuel (Marty Haugen)

All sing: Come to us, O Emmanuel

Welcome to our Advent Service where we have gathered to begin our Advent journey together, to be companions along the road. As in every journey we can only start from where we are. This is the invitation God gives us – to come as we are, not as we would like to be. Before we start off, we must first come home to ourselves. Be honest about your hopes, your expectations, your disappointments, your concerns, your fears. Simply acknowledge that they are there. This is who you are.

But this evening we also acknowledge something else. The theme for this year is “Follow the Star.” This is a time to acknowledge the hope that lies in our hearts, the seeds of future possibilities planted within each of us by God. Advent is a time for us to nourish those seeds, to trust the stirring deep within us. It is a time for reawakening and honouring our ideals, our hunger, our longing, remembering that their fulfilment has been promised, for God is coming. During Advent we allow our star, our ideals, our hunger, our dreams, to lead us.

The readings of Advent tell us to “throw away the cloak of despondency, take off your dress of sorrow and distress… Rejoice, exult with all your heart. The Lord is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love.”

We begin our journey by kindling a flame, a light – a light that we know will grow brighter throughout our journey as we open ourselves to God.

Advent Candle Procession Warm The Time of Winter (Lori True)
All sing:
Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter
Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter

Instrumental will continue to play softly in background

Blessing of Advent Wreath 
My brothers and sisters, today we begin the season of Advent. We open our hearts to God’s love as we prepare to welcome Christ into our lives and homes. The candles of this wreath remind us that Jesus Christ came to conquer the darkness of this world and to lead us into the light of his glorious kingdom. And so we pray:

Prayer of Blessing
Lord God,
help us to prepare a space for you throughout this Season.
Open our hearts to your light and your love,
that we may gradually awaken to the joy of your presence.
May what is dark and wounded within us be healed by your light,
May what is cold may be warmed by the fire of your love.
Let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen

First candle is held before celebrant for a very simple blessing (sign of cross) and then placed on wreath. Meanwhile chorus resumes:

All sing: Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter
Holy light, warm our night, warm the time of winter

Reading Zephaniah 3
He will renew you by his love
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion ,
shout aloud!
Rejoice, exult with all your heart.
The Lord is in your midst,
You have no more evil to fear.
Do not let your hands go limp,
The Lord God is in your midst.
He will exult with joy over you,
He will renew you by his love;
He will dance with shouts of joy for you
As on a day of festival

Song: Word of the Father

Celebrant: Advent, spirituality ultimately about waiting, giving Christ time and room to act – making a space, a welcoming space for Christ, and simply inviting, waiting patiently. The prayer of the early Church was captured in one single word: maranatha, Come Lord Jesus. During this Advent we make that prayer our own, inviting Christ into our hearts, our families, our world. “Come Lord Jesus Come.”

Reflection Maranatha

Response: Come Lord Jesus Come
Come amongst us, O God
You who cast the planets into space
and cradle the sparrow in her nest. (R)

Come amongst us, O God
You who bless the whole and broken
and stand by the sad and strong. (R)

Come amongst us, O God
You who dance in the silence
and shine in the darkness. (R)

Come amongst us, O God
You whose hand holds all the universe
and who shaped the spider’s weaving. (R)

Come amongst us, O God
You who knew us and formed us before time
who holds us tenderly and leads us on. (R)

Song: Wait for the Lord (Taizé)
All sing:
Wait for the Lord his day is near
Wait for the Lord be strong take heart.

Reading Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

“Console my people, console them’
says your God.
‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem
and call to her.’
A voice cries in the wilderness,
prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened
and rough roads made smooth.
And every single person in all of humanity will see the salvation of God.
Shout without fear, ‘Here is your God.’
Here is the Lord coming with power.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them to his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewes.

Song: My Soul In Stillness Waits (Marty Haugen)
All sing:
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits
Truly my hope is in you

Reflection
On our Advent journey we are asked to let go – to let go of our own agenda, our own expectation of what we think should happen, of what we think needs to change, of how we think God should reveal himself to us. Sometimes we can have a sense of disappointment because what we expect to happen doesn’t. But perhaps it is our expectations that frustrate God, not allowing him to work in the ways he wants to. Prayer is ultimately about surrender – surrender to the hidden work of God. In this Mary is our inspiration, for her simple words express perfectly the attitude we need to have – “Let it be done to me as you have said.” That is all we need to do – the rest is up to God. As we remember Mary’s “yes,” let’s say our own “yes” to God – “Let it be done to me as you have said.” We have God’s promise that he will not disappoint us.

Song: Behold A Virgin Bearing Him (Ronan McDonagh)

Gospel Acclamation Hurry the Lord Is Near (Ernest Sands)
All sing:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Gospel Luke 1:26-38

Homily

In a few moments we will sing the magnificat, the song of joy and fulifllment of the woman who could say “let your will be done”, who trusted in the message of an angel, who gave herself to Christ, who nourished that life growing slowly within her, who brought Christ into the world. Her song of fulfilment. Reminds us of the words of the prophet Isaiah: in a short time, a very short time, shall not become fertile land and fertile land turn into forest. No longer shall Jacob be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale, for he shall see what my hands have done in his midst. (Is 29:17-24)

Magnificat My Soul Rejoices (Owen Alstott)
All sing:
My soul rejoices in God my Saviour,
My Spirit finds its joy in God the living God

Intercessions O Lord Heal Us (Christopher Walker)
Response;
O Lord, heal us, O Lord, heal us, Jesus Saviour of the world.

Celebrant: We turn to the Lord, asking his blessing on ourselves, our loved ones, and on our world this Advent.

Sung Response

For those who have an abundance of good things in this life, that they may be mindful of the world’s poor. (R)

For those who carry hurts and angers and dark memories, help them to find the peace which only you can give. (R)

For those whose faith has grown dim and who feel lost and confused on their journey through life, touch them with the warmth of your presence. (R)

For those who are tired, weary, worn from generous giving of their lives for others, bring them rest and enkindle within them a deep spark of light and happiness. (R)

For those who grieve the loss of a loved one and whose hearts are lonely, touch them with dear memories and with a vision of what lies beyond this time and space. (R)

For those who live in the darkness of hunger and want, in the fear of violence or pain, be a light of hope for them, bringing the promise of a new tomorrow (R)

For all of us on our journey through life, keep our hearts full of wonder and openness (R)

Celebrant:
God our Father, our hope and our light,
bless our world,
open our eyes to your presence among us
and open our hearts to the joy of welcoming you
and of serving you in each other.
We ask this though Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Celebrant
As we carry forward the lights that will brighten our Advent star, we commit ourselves to welcoming Christ’s light into our lives, to nourishing the seeds he has planted within us, and to fan the flame of hope in our hearts.

Procession of light: (background rhythm of Ullmhaigí accompanies reflection and procession. When reflection over break into words)

Reflection:
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make the difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Song:Ullmhaígi Bóthar an Tiarna (Máire Ní Dhuibhir)
All sing:
Ullmhaígí Bóthar an Tiarna, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Blessing of Christmas Fare:

Lord, we ask you to bless this Advent fare,
symbols of hospitality and sharing,
of family and friends gathered together,
of all those who offer us welcome and warmth in Christ’s name.
We also remember in our Trocaire gifts the call to share with those who have very little.
We ask the Lord to bless them, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Words of thanks

Advent Blessing (Archbishop)
Bow your heads and pray for God’s Blessing

You believe that the Son of God once came to us;
you look for him to come again.
May his coming bring you the light of his holiness
and free you with his blessing.
Amen

May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope, and untiring in love
all the days of your life.
Amen

You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as man.
When he comes again in glory,
may he reward you with endless life.
Amen

May almighty God bless you,
The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Recessional O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Medieval French)
All sing:
Rejoice, Rejoice, O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come Emmanuel,
To free your captive ,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of Man appear.

Rejoice, Rejoice, O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel

O come great daystar radiance bright
And heal us with your glorious light,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice, Rejoice O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel

O key of David’s city, come,
And open wide our heavn’ly home
Make safe the way that leads above
Protect us ever by your love.

Rejoice, Rejoice, O Israel, to you shall come Emmanuel