Advent: Day 20

Advent: Day 20

I've been reading and thinking about the book of Hosea lately and when I heard this song by one of my favorite artist-couples, Johnnyswim, it reminded me powerfully of the beauty displayed by God's words through Hosea. As Johnnyswim is not known to be a Christian artist, I don't know that this was necessarily the original intention of the lyrics but they struck me as so deeply beautiful in that context, I'm risking the repost here: 

I walk right up unto your throne,
Pick up Your life, lay down my own.
And on this altar known as love,
You made an orphan child a son,
Made an orphan child a son.

When wandering was my heart's recourse
You brought me home from distant shores.
And on this altar void of pride,
You made a harlot girl your bride,
Made a harlot girl your bride.

Now I'm standing face to face
Here with angels and the saints
With beauty only love could ever make

From now until forever's end
You hold me close and you call me friend
No deeper love I've ever known
Than when your heart became my home
When your heart became my home

Now I'm standing face to face
Here with angels and the saints
With beauty only love could ever make

Advent: Day 19

Advent: Day 19

"Come let us return to the Lord; 

for he has torn us, that he may heal us; 

he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

After two days he will revive us; 

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him.

Let us know; 

let us press on to know the Lord;

his going out is sure as the dawn;

he will come to us as the showers, 

as the spring rains that water the earth."

(Hosea 6:1-3)

Advent: Day 18

Advent: Day 18

Bride of the Lamb, awake, awake!
Why sleep for sorrow now?
The hope of glory, Christ, is thine,
A child of glory thou.

Thy spirit, through the lonely night,
From earthly joy apart,
Hath sighed for One that’s far away
The Bridegroom of thy heart.

But see! the night is waning fast,
The breaking morn is near;
And Jesus comes, with voice of love,
Thy drooping heart to cheer.

He comes for oh, His yearning heart
No more can bear delay
To scenes of full unmingled joy
To call His bride away.

Then weep no more; ’tis all thine own
His crown, His joy divine;
And, sweeter far than all beside,
He, He Himself is thine!

(Edward Denny, 1837)

Advent: Day 17

Advent: Day 17

"But who may abide the day of His coming?

And who shall stand when He appeareth? 

For He is like a refiner's fire."

(Soprano: Emma Kirkby)

Advent: Day 16

Advent: Day 16

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say,
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Wakened by the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

That when next He comes in glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing
Be to God: the Father, Son
And the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

(Author Unknown, 6th Century)

Advent: Day 15

Advent: Day 15

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then in confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)

Advent: Day 14

Advent: Day 14

Jeremiah 33:14-16 

14 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'