Monastic Mumblings, a Friar's Journey: Lessons & Carols

Today we worshipped in the very Anglican rite of the Festival of Lessons & Carols. I think it speaks to a lot that has been said on the blogosphere about the meaning of this time of year. The essence of this celebration is beautifuly captured in the“Bidding Prayer,” during the opening readings. I think that this powerful prayer conveys to us the true spirit of the Advent & Christmas seasons.

THE BIDDING PRAYER
Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning. Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem His waiting people. Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled. Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring all people and all things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom.

But first, let us pray for the needs of His whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which He died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice His heart, let us at this time remember in His name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love Him not, or who by sin have grieved His heart of love.

Let us also remember before God His pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.

Lastly, we beseech You to purify our conscience, Almighty God, by Your daily visitation, that Your Son Jesus Christ, at His coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for Himself; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.