Soon we will be coming upon the season of Advent, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Is anyone taking special time to prepare your heart/mind/body to focus on the coming of Christ, first as a baby, then in our hearts? I am trying to take some time to prepare to enter into God's Presence so that I don't rush along with no thought of the Sacred in my day. I have been thinking of favorite hymns and wondering what people out there like. This is probably my favorite, it certainly helps me to forget the bustle and focus on the Promise of Heaven's own Son. Tell me your hymns, and how they change you.
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Most of my favorite hymns are Holy Week ones. But, sappy as it is, I love 'In the Bleak Midwinter'. Not that there was snow in Palestine, LOL.
For preparation, I schedule a confession. And somehow, Advent usually pushes it's way into my heart whether I consciously prepare or not. My sins rise to the surface. I feel a bit bleak. But it is a darkness that coincides so perfectly with the coming of the light that I have learned to savor it.
Posted by: Rachel | November 28, 2007 at 03:47 PM
I chaperoned a J2A group to Ireland several years ago and we sang this hymn every day as part of our devotions. It's from an old Irish Song, The Bank of the Bane, and one of my favorites.
One of my favories is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Tom
Posted by: fishrock | November 27, 2007 at 11:20 AM
That was the first hymn I thought of when I read your post, and there it was in the first comment! We sang it as a communion hymn this past Sunday for Christ the King. I associate it with Advent.
I love "Creator of the Stars of Night" (Conditor Alme Siderum).
Posted by: Jane R | November 26, 2007 at 11:49 PM
I'm glad that you brought up preparation. I hadn't had a chance to think about it much. I have a difficult time of it and some years I don't do as well as I like. I find contemplations very helpful.
I have a long list of favorite hymns. In fact, I tend to credit the Holy Spirit with some of the hymns that come along and haunt me from time to time. One that seemed to come to me out of the blue in a profound way a couple of years ago was, "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/l/l027.html
I don't hear it much in our church anymore, but if I recall correctly, it might have been a favorite of a priest I had when I was quite young.
A.
Posted by: Annie | November 26, 2007 at 10:51 PM