Advent Evening

We have an Advent Evening each year with the women at church.  It's always a beautiful, peaceful way to start the season of Christ's coming.  Here are a few of my favorite contributions.

A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior

by Ben Johnson (1572-1637)

I sing the birth was born tonight,

The Author both of life and light;

     The angels so did sound it,

And like the ravished shepherds said,

Who saw the light, and were afraid,

     Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, the eternal King,

That did us all salvation bring,

     And freed the soul from danger;

He whom the whole world could not take,

The Word, which heaven and earth did make,

     Was now laid in a manger.

The Father's wisdom willed it so,

The Son's obedience knew no "No,"

     Both wills were in one stature;

And as that wisdom had decreed,

The Word was now made Flesh indeed,

     And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win?

Who made Himself the Prince of sin,

     To make us heirs of glory?

To see this Babe, all innocence,

A Martyr born in our defense,

     Can man forget this story?

Elizabeth’s Song

by (our very own) Abigail Knutson 

I watch her grow and treasure

Mary’s questions, yearnings, dreams,

starting to sense a secret

thrums in wait as yet unseen.

One morning I wake to mystery

lingering with dew in the air,

and holy wonder in my thoughts

whispers Adonai is here. 

Zecharias bursts through our door

and grabs me with a voiceless plea.

I clasp his shaking shoulders.

Revelation cloaks him silently.

Hands flutter like two birds

before resting on my waist;

eyes shining through deep pools proclaim

our dreams are not too late. 

Like Sarah who received report

of life sprung through her aging frame,

my soul splits ripe with laughter.

Grace deems “John” our baby’s name.

Fervent prayers for emerging seed

stretch toward my niece’s soul

as flag of prophesy unfurls

and flutters of her coming role. 

With glad cry of welcome

I meet Mary at my door,

but the thrill of recognition

kicks deeper within my core.

Fire dancing in our eyes

crackles and bursts into bloom;

I behold the promise, sacred one

nestled earthbound in her womb. 

Together we’re gifted a foretaste,

sharp glory and anguish await.

Dusty paths and desert prophecies

will lead them to their fate.

Embracing the vision of God,

we surrender all to divine choice

and in the wild territory of blessing

our unborn sons rejoice. 

And a beautiful singing of the Huron Carol by Kim Mallet.  Listen here to get a sense of the haunting melody.  

The Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon of Winter Time)

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn, 
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
Music: French Canadian melody (tune name: Jesous Ahatonhia)