November 28 / 1st Sunday of Advent a good paradox. At the start of each liturgical year, we begin with the end. While the world soothes us with serene Christmas images, the First Sunday of Advent warns us of the end of days when “people will die of fright” (Lk 21:26). O, what joy?! By starting Advent focused on the end of the world, we prepare for more than just Jesus’s birth. We ready ourselves for Christ’s coming at the fullness of time. Here we have another paradox. For those who have strengthened their hearts with love for all (second reading), that final day is one of hope, not fear.
Advent’s call to conversion reveals that each day of our lives is an advent in which we must look for the signs of earthly powers being shaken that signal the Spirit bringing about God’s reign. In this passage from Luke’s Gospel, the Greek word used for “world” is not the usual kosmos but oikoumene, related to political and economic structures. When the Son of God enters human history, our comfortable systems are turned upside down. The mighty are brought low and the lowly lifted up. When we see these structures that privilege the powerful crumbling to dust, let us not die of fright but raise our heads with joyful hope, for our redemption is at hand. —DM
Hymnals
LM2
W E C H R I ST I A N S LOV E
W4
G4
G3
RS2
OC
VCS
A Season of Light
356
Awake to the Day
464
399
24
Behold, O Zion, God Will Come 624
Christ Is Surely Coming
860
City of God
666
622
728
857
766
876
401
Each Winter as the Year Grows Older 642
764
My Lord, What a Morning!
943
Prepare! Prepare!
461
641
637
LM2
242
Lead Me, Guide Me 2nd Edition
569
Ritual Song Second Edition
RS2
494
806
543
743
693
955
701
886
494
452 218
Soon and Very Soon
861
941
568
349
865
691
635 954
704
882
The Advent of Our God
347
The King Shall Come (Mattingly)
341
The King Shall Come (st. stephen)
403
450
414
236
504
353
364
This Is Your Justice
274
We Wait
292
When the Lord in Glory Comes When You Come
G I A Q U A R T E R LY
863 455
32
VCS OIF
351
Ready the Way 564
OC
Oramos Cantando Voices
216
Rejoice, the Lord Is King!
G4
Gather 4th Edition
G3
Prepare Ye Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
W4
Worship 4th Edition
Gather 3rd Edition
419
It Is Well with My Soul Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
884 362
Canticle of the Turning
Come, Lord and Tarry Not!
OIF
354
One in Faith