We long for our children to grow up to be healthy, happy, and fulfilled. We yearn for a place to belong, friends who see and love us, and space to do the things we love. We ache for a world of kindness and justice in which we can all thrive.
Longing is part of the human condition. The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures are both filled with stories, songs, and supplications that express the wide diversity of our inherently human hankerings. And, in the liturgical tradition of the Christian faith, we have twin seasons devoted to our longings and their fulfilment: Advent and Christmas.
The Advent Season is particularly good at helping us to express our desires in song.
In the week before Christmas, many churches across the world sing seven ancient Advent chants known as the O Antiphons. All begin with the one-letter word O accompanied by a biblical name or title for Christ. They all express some need which we yearn to have addressed in our lives and world, and they all pray for Christ to fulfil our longing.
The Songs of Our Longings
A new Liturgical and Devotional Guide from Sacredise
for Advent and Christmas
Based on the Gospel readings for Year C, The Songs of Our Longings—Meeting Christ in Ancient Advent Chants brings together the seven verses of the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, with the O Antiphons and the longings they express. The journey that results from this recipe is startlingly relevant to the lives and world in which we live today.
Every chapter of The Songs of Our Longings speaks to our personal and collective yearning. Drawing on the poetry and symbolism of the O Antiphons, they invite us to seek what we need in Christ and in following his liberating way.
If you are searching for an Advent series that can offer hope, comfort, inspiration, and purpose for frail, flawed, and foolish humans doing their best to navigate this challenging world, The Songs of Our Longings is for you.
The Songs of Our Longings
is available in three options:
THE SONGS OF OUR LONGINGS
Liturgical Guide includes:
● Sermon starter chapters for every service of the series based on the Lectionary readings from Luke’s and John’s Gospels;
● Purpose written prayers and liturgies for all four Advent Sundays, Christmas Day and both Sundays after Christmas;
● Ideas and suggestions for decorating your sanctuary and for creating visual elements to enhance your worship;
● A ‘Hanging of the Greens’ meditation for Advent Sunday and Advent Candle lighting liturgies for all services from Advent Sunday to Christmas Day (with Advent candle reflections for the two Sundays after Christmas);
● A theme-based Table Liturgy that can be used at any service in the series;
● A scripted, purpose-written Nine Lessons and Carols Liturgy;
● Theme-based graphics for your projection software, including welcome screens and backgrounds for song lyrics, liturgies, and sermon notes.
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The Songs of Our Longings
includes the following chapters: