Advent 2016: Advent Hymns
Nov. 29, 2015-Dec. 20, 2015
A Rose in the Desert
November 29, 2015 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us, And lightens every load. For we know the sweet power of his presence. His fragrance with sweetness fills the air. This aroma of a savior clears the room of gloom. He dispels with glorious splendor that darkness everywhere. Now we know it in a taste, a scent that we catch on the wind. We know it in our personal lives when we realize how he gave us hope when we were in despair. He gave us cleansing forgiveness when we seemed forever stained with guilt. He gave us direction when we were wandering. He brought us home when we were lost. He sent love to us again when we thought we were only despicable. He still does it. And these roses blooming in the desert are signs of what is to come. In these difficult days, with advent yearning, we hold hard to the hope. Streams will flow in the desert. Paths to life will arise in the wilderness. In the rocky barren places life will grow. Jesus Christ has come to us, a rose ever blooming. And he will come again.
O Little Town
December 13, 2015 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
The hope for the world is realized through personal reception of the gift of the savior. It’s not the other way around. We don’t wait for the world to get right before we have personal hope. Rather, individual, personal faith in what God has done through the child of Bethlehem alone gives us hope for how the history of the entire world will turn out. If we pin our hopes on electing the right person or solving the latest culture crisis, we will always be disappointed. We will always be in upheaval. Hope comes through the humility of receiving the gift of the tiny babe in Bethlehem as the redeemer of our souls who will, in his time, bring all the world to new life and re-creation.
Joy to the World
December 20, 2015 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
We are called to prepare room in our hearts for Christ. To set loose our songs in praise. To choke off the sins that entangle us. To dig up the thorns that pierce people in our society and relationships. To speak sharply to the sorrow that wants to swallow us as we bid our hearts rejoice in the one who alone is the source of abiding joy. We do all these things as we lift up our voices and sing with our hearts “Joy to the World.” Worship is a kind of defiance. We defy the way things are in the world by singing the praises of our present and active savior. We look at the world that could make us despair and nevertheless sing a joyful song. We mock the evil one as we extol the excellencies of our reigning king. Taking up our instruments and raising our voices, we herald Christ’s arrival in the present moment. Worship alone sweeps us up into the one great story of Jesus, of all he has done to save us and all he will do to set the world right.