thoughts and ruminations while in exile (1 Pet. 2:11)

The Advent of our God our prayers must now employ. And we must meet God on the Road with hymns of Holy joy.

The everlasting Child incarnate deigns to be. Selects a servant's life to live, God's people to set free.

Before the dawning day let sin's dark deeds be gone, and all our old life put away, our new life to begun.

All glory to the Christ who comes to set us free, with God and Spirit ever One throughout eternity

Words: Charles Coffin (18thC), tr. John Chandler (19thC) Music: Doncaster, Samuel Wesley (18thC) Sequence: Cathouse Pandemonium, Ltd.

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all persons who have become ill, weak, distressed, or isolated. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.