We’re in the midst of a season of celebration. It’s a time for embracing peace and hope. Perhaps, at the same time, you or people you care about are caught up in a different kind of season, one of hardship, physical illness or injury, an unexpected and unpleasant situation, disharmony, injustice, suffering, or persecution. We designed this teacher lectionary for just such a period of two seemingly contradictory seasons. Please join us before the throne where there is always relief. (Links will take you to passages or songs.)
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing![1]
We offer these words of worship to You.
Because of Your tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven
has broken upon us,
giving light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and guiding us
to the path of peace. (Luke, 1:78-79)[2]
Oh, how our souls praise You.
How our spirits rejoice in You!
For You have taken notice of Your servants,
and many call us blessed.
Mighty One, You are holy;
You have done great things for us.
You show mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear You.
Your mighty arm has done tremendous things!
You have scattered the proud and haughty ones.
You have brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
You have filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
You have helped your servants
and have remembered to be merciful,
just as You promised. (Luke. 1:46-55)
Glory to You in the highest heavens! (Luke. 2:14)
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to You
forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation. 7:12)
I bring my sacrifices of praise before Your throne.
We seek the mercy You promised. Please crush the enemy in me.
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that we no more may die;
Born to raise us from the earth;
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”
Come, Desire of nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home.
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head;
Adam’s likeness now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”[3]
I rest in silence before Your throne, releasing my guilt and embracing light and new birth.
You have blessed me beyond measure. Thank You for…(Choose anything or a combination from the two columns in the chart below.)
We ask You to act. Please hear my cries and…(Choose anything or a combination from the two columns in the chart above.)
As I prepare to return into the world, I sing this hymn as a reminder that we serve a triumphant Master who is on our side.
Now, I stand and go forth under Your reign.
[1] “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by Edumnd H. Sears.
[2] All passages are quoted or adapted from the New Living Translation.
[3] “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley.
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