Music and Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 16 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

• Words translated from Latin by John Neale (1851)
• Music is plainsong chant adapted by Thomas Helmore (1854)
• Performed by Lauren Daigle on the album Behold (Centricity Music, 2018)

Text

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear

O come thou Dayspring come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come desire of nations bind all peoples with one heart and mind
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease, fill the whole world with heaven's peace
Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Readings

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it
With justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (ESV)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent