Friday December 4

Scripture

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

-Psalm 130

Hymn - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Meditation

Again, it is the depth of longing that speaks through this ancient prayer: the voice of someone in the depths of despair, calling out from the depth of his or her soul. As Advent people, we are invited to enter into these depths, lighted by the candle of hope; to join our hearts and voices with the broken and downtrodden; to uncover and name our own fears and pain - to bring all of this into the light of God’s coming mercy and redemption.