First Sunday of Advent (C), November 28, 2021—Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:25–36

Jeremiah 33:14–16

 

Marc Chagall: The Prophet Jeremiah (Le prophète Jérémie), 1968

Musée national d’Art moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

 

Prophet Time

 

If you, these days, in exile feel

From what you thought we were about,

Then Jeremiah is your friend,

Proclaiming faith ’gainst these days’ doubts.

 

And isn’t that our job these days,

That—though the throne be oft deranged—

We still proclaim a greater power

Our nagging, mean, malaise to change?

 

The prophet promised a regime

Would spring to life, and execute

A reign of doing right and good

No violence might then refute.

 

And so we wait this Branch again

That might be born from David’s line;

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

May peace from you our lives define!

 

Scott L. Barton

 

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.”

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Luke 21:25–36

 

We Would Ever Be More Faithful

 

PICARDY 8.7.8.7.8.7.                      French Carol

 

1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

As we grieve and mourn this day,

Gasping in the face of violence,

Lives and trust all torn away;

We would ever be more faithful,

Seeking peace from you, we pray.

 

2. Bombings that sow dread and terror,

Making tears for those who are lost,

Have the power to lead us to error,

Tolerance for others the cost;

We would ever be more faithful,

Never sunk, although we be tossed.

 

3. In the midst of fear and foreboding,

Christ, your way still lives herein,

Keep the love we've known from eroding,

Reign o'er us, and draw us in;

We would ever be more faithful,

Loving all, again, we begin.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

(This hymn was written in 2015 after bombings in Paris, Baghdad and Beirut. It would be suitable for congregational singing on Advent 1 or at any other appropriate time. The motto of Paris, "Elle est agitée par les vagues, et ne sombre pas,” essentially means, “Tossed, but not sunk.” Permission given for congregational use.

 

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”