The King Shall Come
AN ADVENT CAROL DEVOTIONAL
Introduction
I think there is a tendency sometimes to define Advent in a negative way, by what it is not, as in “not Christmas.” It is easily skipped over and merged with Christmas, but it is a distinctive season of its own. Advent is a time to reflect on both the past and the future. During Advent we remember the Old Testament prophecies that point to Jesus’ birth, and the promise of Jesus’ future coming. We think about Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and the angel Gabriel. Advent means longing for Jesus, for his judgment/justice, mercy, and peace.
Through this project I wanted to create a way for me and other people to not only better understand Advent intellectually but to experience it, to have a sense of what Advent feels like. I hope that you read the devotionals each day, you will take the time to listen to each song and that you will have a sense of what Advent feels like. Many of these songs are ancient and have been sung and listened to by countless Christians over the centuries. I love how they sound in both traditional and contemporary versions.
I am immensely grateful to Diana, Eddie, Laura and Tim for their thoughtful and prayerful contributions. I hope that you find them as inspirational as I have. May Christ’s peace be with you this Advent, and may you grow closer to God with each passing day.
by Erica Andersen
Contributors
Diana Austin
The Rev. Deacon Erica Andersen
Tim Andersen
Eddie Black
Laura Bray
Lo! How a Rose E’re Blooming
I loved singing “Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming!” when I was in junior high choir in the church of my youth.
It Came upon a Midnight Clear
Some churches offer what is called a “Blue Christmas” service during Advent.
Sing we of the Blessed Mother
As a fairly new Episcopalian, I admit that my personal relationship with Mary has been a passive one.
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
When I was a small child and I did something wrong, I would cry, feeling awful not only because I had done wrong but because I was being punished for it!
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
This hymn sits in the context of the Hebrew scripture and history. Israel long awaits the coming of Emmanuel “God is with us” (Isaiah 7:10-16) for the transformation to a reign of peace.
Watchman, Tell us of the Night
When I first heard “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” by John Bowring, I instantly liked it for one simple reason: it reminded me of the song “All Along the Watchtower” by one of my favorite songwriters, Bob Dylan.
Hark! a Thrilling Voice is Sounding
The title of this devotional is “SHUT UP AND LISTEN!” Or in advent speak: “HARK!”
Hark the Glad Sound, the Savior Comes
Hark! Pay attention! The Savior comes. Prepare your heart for him to be enthroned there.
Lift up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Like many of the hymns of Advent, the text of “Lift Up your heads, ye mighty gates” was inspired by suffering.
Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies
Written by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley, “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” is a rich and beautiful hymn that speaks to us on several levels.
Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
Mary is a mother to all of us, in a way, a source of comfort and wisdom that not everyone gets from their own mothers. It is no wonder that she so often draws us into prayer because we need a mother sometimes to whom we can unburden our hearts.
Jesus Shall Reign Wheree’r the Sun
My daughter loves to ask questions that begin “how many days till...” Like many children, she is constantly anticipating the next exciting event. S