I yearn for Him too. Especially this time of year when Madison Avenue kicks the Christmas shopping season into high gear. And when the radio stations start the post-Thanksgiving "Holiday music" songs playing 24/7 prior to Christmas. And the television hits us non-stop with must-have gift ideas.
Advent as a time of fasting and anticipation goes much better for me when I fast from the television and the radio. And when I pray for the coming of Our Lord in the manner suggested by the following verses translated by Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman from works of anonymous authors from the 6th and 7th centuries.
Because I don't want to shop just yet, nor do I wish to be humming Christmas carols yet either. Instead, I long for the coming of the Lord.
I'll be praying these words tonight for Vespers and tomorrow bright and early for Matins and Lauds. Won't you join me?
Advent—Vespers.
Creator alme siderum.
Creator of the starry pole,
Saviour of all who live,
And light of every faithful soul,
Jesu, these prayers receive.
Who sooner than our foe malign
Should triumph, from above
Didst come, to be the medicine
Of a sick world, in love;
And the deep wounds to cleanse and cure
Of a whole race, didst go,
Pure Victim, from a Virgin pure,
The bitter Cross unto.
Who hast a Name, and hast a Power,
The height and depth to sway,
And Angels bow, and devils cower,
In transport or dismay ;
Thou too shalt be our Judge at length;
Lord, in Thy grace bestow
Thy weapons of celestial strength,
And snatch us from the foe.
Honour and glory, power and praise,
To Father, and to Son,
And Holy Ghost, be paid always,
The Eternal Three in One.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Advent—Matins.
Verbum supernum prodiens.
Supernal Word, proceeding from
The Eternal Father's breast,
And in the end of ages come,
To aid a world distrest;
Enlighten, Lord, and set on fire
Our spirits with Thy love,
That, dead to earth, they may aspire
And live to joys above.
That, when the judgment-seat on high
Shall fix the sinner's doom,
And to the just a glad voice cry,
Come to your destined home;
Safe from the black and yawning lake
Of restless, endless pain,
We may the face of God partake,
The bliss of heaven attain.
To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Ghost, to Thee,
As heretofore, when time is done,
Unending glory be.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Advent—Lauds.
En clara vox redarguit
Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling,
And each dim and winding way
Of the ancient Temple filling;
Dreams, depart! for it is day.
Christ is coming!—from thy bed,
Earth-bound soul, awake and spring,—
With the sun new-risen to shed
Health on human suffering.
Lo! to grant a pardon free,
Comes a willing Lamb from Heaven;
Sad and tearful, hasten we,
One and all, to be forgiven.
Once again He comes in light,
Girding each with fear and woe;
Lord! be Thou our loving Might,
From our guilt and ghostly foe.
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, who in Heaven
Ever witness. Three and One,
Praise on earth be ever given.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Update: Psalm 37 Wait for the Lord, and keep His way;
