Advent: 8 December - Water, Fire, Holy Spirit
“I baptise you with water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.” Matt 3:11
In the Gospel we read how John the Baptist demonstrates his spirituality as one of descent not ascent. "He must grow bigger, I must grow smaller." This is a key message of Advent. The season of Advent allows our hearts to be touched by the small simplicity of the Christ baby who is already Christ the King.
Prayers of the Faithful suggestions.
We pray for:
The Church: that through our baptism of the Holy Spirit and of energising fire, we will transform the world through living the message of the Gospel with courage and truthfulness.
E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.
Honest repentance: that in this time of waiting we will spend each day in the silence of the 'desert', listening to the Word made flesh, who gifts us this life with unconditional love. Help free us from what we think are entitlements and security.
E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.
The prophets today: that through the Spirit of God and the fire which fuels their message, call all to face the truth, inspiring us to leave behind the old ways and to live and act in new ways with justice and peace.
E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.
Below are the translated words from Latin for a traditional 12th century hymn sung during this season of Advent. It echoes many of the references in the first Reading from the prophet Isaiah 11:1-10
O come O come Emmanuel
O come O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
O come O Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in its ways to go. Refrain.
O come, O come great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain.
O come, O branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave. Refrain
O come, O Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
And bar the way to death’s abode. Refrain
O come O Bright and Morning Star,
And bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
And turn our darkness into light. Refrain
O come, O king of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
And be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain
Psalter Hymnal (Gray)
There are many versions of this beautiful hymn which you can find online.