From Philippians 4:4-6:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Offering God’s promises

Distant joy asking, who’s yet to come?

Echoing in wilderness

Voices no longer numb

Faithful witnesses of peace

Salvation’s Messiah now descends

Mercy’s joy-filled tenderness

Lasting goodness shall extend

Holy Spirit rejoices

Promised deliverance emerges

Virgin’s heart flowing with love

Angels praise as joy surges

Rejoice always, now rejoice

Eternity’s spring of love endures

Mankind’s hope shall be transformed

Filling joy from grace, so pure

Each believer investing

Ripples of God’s blessed love invite

Messiah opening gates

Outlook’s joy forever bright

Bethlehem’s joy in shining star

Gentleness in spirit, blessings come

Long-awaited Prince of Peace

Each knee bends, to heaven’s drum

Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

German hymnwriter, Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722), wrote a reverent hymn which works well with the expectations of the Advent season, but it also looks ahead to the return of Jesus Christ.  Here is “Rejoice!  Rejoice Believers.”