Monday, November 28, 2005

It's Advent not Christmas

For the record, ADVENT comes before Christmas.
Advent is that time when you open the little boxes on the calendar starting on December 1st. There IS a a season in the historic Christian church - it's a time of reflection and anticipation as we await Jesus coming to earth as an infant to be born in Bethlehem - it's the beginning of the church calendar.
For those interested, the liturgically correct color is indigo.

Here's an Advent hymn
Prepare the royal highway;
The King of kings is near!
Let every hill and valley
A level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory,
Foretold in sacred story:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God's Word!

God's people see him coming:
Your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him!
Spread garments! Shout and sing!
God's promise will not fail you!
No more will doubt assail you!
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God's Word!

Then fling the gates wide open
To greet your promised king!
Your king, yet every nation
Its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him;
Their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God's Word!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It never ceases to amaze me. There are too many Christians who have songs and hymns that talk about Jesus with such arms-length understanding of Him. I am sickened when I hear believers who profess to know Jesus sing 'seeker-songs' or sing garbage that is contrary to scripture. I would challenge you to listen to the ridiculous songs that come from our lips in the name of Jesus.
Prepare the royal highway; (Actually he makes it level..we wouldn't know a donkey path from the 401) The King of kings is near! (Jesus cannot be anymore near...He is my life)
Let every hill and valley
A level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory,
Foretold in sacred story:
Hosanna to the Lord, (Yup save our praises for when and if he shows - why do it now!!!)
For he fulfills God's Word! (Jesus has fulfilled the Word - perfectly I might add...in fact scripture says he is the 'word'

God's people see him coming: (I wonder if they really know him-or just about him...I have a pool if you want in on it...as to how many may actually run like mice)
Your own eternal king! (Actually Jesus is eternal life)
Palm branches strew before him! (sounds like Easter)
Spread garments! Shout and sing!
God's promise will not fail you!
No more will doubt assail you!
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God's Word!

Then fling the gates wide open
To greet your promised king! (Too late I already know him as more than a King...my life...brother friend....redeemer...high priest...)
Your king, yet every nation
Its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him;
Their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God's Word!

Actually I really prefer Easter. It talks about our mutual crucifixion, our resurrection (Col 3.3, Gal 2.20 Rom 6.6). Besides which the only tindge of death comes during Advent with the ever popular 'hanging of the greens'. Hate to say it Bah Christian Hum-bug on Christmas advent and many of ridiculous songs!