King of saints

“Light in the darkness” Advent 2022 banner, Scots International Church Rotterdam, designed and made by members of the congregation

 

Great and marvelous are your deeds,
      Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
      King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
      and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
      and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.

 
I was working on some lyrics based on this passage from Revelation 15:3-4 when I discovered something curious.

The phrase “King of the nations” in verse 3 is sometimes translated as “King of the ages” or alternatively as “King of saints”.
 

As we cross the threshold of another year, what a comfort to know God is King – of the nations, of the ages, of the saints.

 


A prayer

Lift up our hearts, O Christ,
above the false shows of things,
above laziness and fear,
above selfishness and covetousness,
above whim and fashion,
up to the everlasting Truth that you are;
that we may live joyfully and freely,
in the faith that you are our King and our Saviour,
our Example and our Judge,
and so long as we are loyal to you,
all will ultimately be well.
 

by Charles Kingsley (1819-1875)
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #136
 


From the blog
3 Prayers for endings and beginnings
On the threshold of tomorrow
On writing prayer poems
 

King of hearts


 

A prayer

High King of Heaven,
You stretch out the skies like a curtain
And lower the canopy of gentle night
To cool the heat of the day.
May your peace, dark, velvety and starlit,
Descend
To calm the wild beating of my heart,
That I may be still.

 
~ by Pat Robson, from A Celtic Liturgy, p. 1-2
 


Podcast tip
If you like listening to podcasts, here’s one with a Christmas theme, entitled God is not nowhere in the world, featuring Jason Micheli, posted on the Mockingbird website.

The other talks from this year’s Mockingbird Tyler Conference are good too (see uploads dated 11.4.2022).


Another tip
Sing “Be thou my vision” reflectively, paying attention to the references to heart and “High King of Heaven”.

And enjoy this acoustic version of Jon and Valerie Guerra’s Christmas themed song, “Lord, remind me”.

 

In the school of prayer with the Seven Great ‘O’s of Advent

The Great 'O' Antiphons

 
My local church – Scots International Church Rotterdam – organised a series of evening services during the season of Advent this year to further explore our theme of “Light in the Darkness” through music, prayer and candle light.

On 11 December I incorporated a special focus on a liturgical treasure – the Advent Antiphons known as the Great Antiphons or ‘O’ Antiphons. It’s my privilege and delight to now share this liturgical treasure with you also.
 


‘O’ Antiphons: A brief introduction

This collection of prayers was in use in Rome by the 8th century. In seven various, but interrelated ways they voice the ultimate petition of Scripture — “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).

Seven was symbolic in ancient near eastern and Israelite culture and literature. It communicated a sense of “fullness” or “completeness”.

In the original Latin version the seven titles attributed to Jesus are: Sapientia, Adonai, Radix Jesse, Clavis David, Oriens, Rex Gentium, and Emmanuel. In reverse order they form an acrostic ERO CRAS which means “I am coming soon.”

Traditionally, one of these antiphons is said or chanted before and after the Magnificat (Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46-55) during the services of evening prayer on December 17 through 23, allowing each antiphon to cast its distinctive light on Mary’s rejoicing over the gracious acts of God to Israel that are being fulfilled through her.

Each antiphon has the same simple form:

  1. starts with the word ‘O’
  2. uses a striking Messianic title drawn from Israel’s prophetic writings to address God in Christ
  3. describes a gracious act of God
  4. offers a petition that flows from the description of Christ used

The great Advent hymn, “O come, O come, Emmanuel” (Latin: Veni, veni, Emmanuel) is a metrical paraphrase of the ‘O’ Antiphons.
 

For more on the history and significance of these ancient prayers go to www.baylor.edu (my primary source). Also check out the ‘O’ Antiphons Advent Liturgy held at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle each year.
 

Now let us pray

 


The Seven Great O’s of Advent

Sapientia
O Wisdom, mysterious Word of God, coming forth from the Father and filling all creation with your life-giving power: Come and show us the way of truth.

Adonai
O Lord of Israel, ruler of your ancient people, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave the law on Mount Sinai: Come, and reach out your hand to save us.

Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, Son of David, you have been lifted up as a sign of peace, drawing all kings and people to stand silent in your presence: Come quickly and help us, we beseech you.

Clavis David
O Key of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel, you have opened to us the way of hope, and shut the door on the powers of evil: Come and free us from our prisons of darkness.

Oriens
O Morning Star, radiance of the Father’s love, you are the brightness that disperses the shadows of our hearts: Come, cleanse and renew us in your glory.

Rex Gentium
O King of the Nations, you alone bring joy when you reign in our hearts, and you are the cornerstone of our lives: Come and strengthen us, who were formed by you.

Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, God with us, hope of the world, and Saviour of all, come and live in us, now and for ever.
 
 
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #717
 


From the blog
Check out the Index for more posts in the “School of prayer” series.
 

I believe God reigns


 

A Creed – the God who reigns

I believe in God,
the God,
the only God,
who created everything
and reigns as King
over earth, sky, and water,
Sovereign and Holy,
and yet revealing Himself
in the intimacy of the name
“Father”.
He reigns over the nations;
He is seated on his holy throne.
Psalm 47:8

And I believe in Jesus Christ,
the Son,
the only-begotten Son
whose reign began
in the weakness of a manger-bed,
conceived by the Spirit
and born of a virgin,
who reigned
even while nailed to a cross of wood;
who died and rose again, ascended and will come again.
He will reign forever;
and his kingdom will never end.
Luke 1:33

And I believe in the Spirit,
the Holy Spirit,
the Spirit of God
who as God Himself
brings the presence of God
and extends the reign of God
in every believer and throughout the world,
who ever directs hearts
to our Lord and Savior,
so that grace might reign …
to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21

 
~ by Rick Lindholtz, posted on his blog on the tracks.
 


From the blog
Baptism by fire
In the school of prayer with Michael Mayne
Mightier than the crashing waves