I want to share…

... God’s blessing to me through the words of an old hymn sung by a young girl this advent

Come, Thou almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing,

   Help us to praise!

   Father all glorious, O’er all victorious,

Come and reign over us,

   Ancient of Days!

Text: Anonymous, 1757

Sung by the late Ana Marquez Green, Newtown, CT Click here to view video

The hymn reminds me of other favorite Advent prayers.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

   And ransom captive Israel that mourns in lowly exile here

               until the Son of God appear.[1]

O, Lord Jesus, how long, how long,

    Ere we shout the glad song,

               “Christ returnth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen.” [2]

He will come in the fullness of time. Therefore we pray and live knowing Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2b), and our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here (Rom 13:11-12).

Knowing Jesus, the Savior, we sing in expectant joy,

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Rev. Joel Egge, President

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[1] Latin Hymn Trans by John Neale O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

[2] H.L. Turner, It May Be At Morn