This year, our Advent hymn is Bring Peace to Earth Again. As we hear and experience daily the effects of war, disparity, displacement, and injustice—leaving many vulnerable, impoverished, or without shelter or refuge or home, we join the longing, crying-out hymns and spiritual songs of the ages.
How long, O Lord? How long? (Psalm 13)
O come, O Come Emmanuel!
God of Mercy, Hear Our Prayer!
As we sing and light candles each week on our wreath, we might or might not feel anticipation of something more. Yet we lift these prayers, state these longings, and name these desires for God’s Something-New. We claim these longings are our own, as we continue wait, look for, and work for a just world, satisfied and at peace.
Each week we add a verse to the song as we light another candle, hoping that the word of John’s Gospel still ring true “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome to.”
November 29 - Advent 1 + A Prayer for Deliverance
Where armies scourge the countryside,
and people flee in fear,
where sirens scream through flaming nights,
and death is ever near:
O God of mercy, hear our prayer:
bring peace to earth again!
December 6 - Advent 2 + A Prayer for Peace
Where anger festers in the heart,
and strikes with cruel hand;
where violence stalks the troubled streets,
and terror haunts the land:
O God of mercy, hear our prayer:
bring peace to earth again!
December 13 - Advent 3 + A Prayer for Sanctuary
Where homes are torn by bitter strife,
and love dissolves in blame;
where walls you meant for shelt'ring care
hide deeds of hurt and shame:
O God of mercy, hear our prayer:
bring peace to earth again!
December 20 - Advent 4 + A Prayer for Redemption
O God, whose heart compassionate
bears ev'ry human pain,
redeem this violent, wounding world
till gentleness shall reign.
O God of mercy, hear our prayer:
bring peace to earth again!
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