Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers

Today I am here to tell you that it is OK to mix things up and do what works for you. Advent does not have to be fancy, just humble and open. Here is how tonight went:

I had some peppermint ice cream in the freezer and angel food cake (obiligatorily made after making several “yolk only” dishes for Thanksgiving) left over from the weekend. So I sat my kids at the kitchen island to feast, talk about their kind deeds from the day, and begin learning a new to us hymn. We very simply, and in undecorated fashion, watched youtube videos of the hymn to catch the tune.

We found one video that included the sheet music and lyrics. This was truly helpful except for the fact that the page turns were slightly delayed, leaving us to guess the endings of words. Will it be “advances” or “advanceth”? Oh, nope! “Advancing.”

I had heard this hymn before, but it is not in my historical Advent rotation and it’s not in any of my hymnals. But it is a fairly common Catholic hymn, I believe. I love it. It makes me teary every time I am made to sing the word “Bridegroom.” That’s my Jesus, my Bridegroom. He is coming for me. He is drawing near.

How often do we consider that he is coming for us? To be our very own salvation? How often do we stare our need for a savior in the face? How often do we prepare our hearts to receive him, the most holy God?

We must trim our candles (a habit my earthly husband is constantly trying to instill in me) and be prepared. Don’t let your heart be clouded by the smoke of only recently cleaning house and trying to cover up stench with pine-scented wax. Trim your candle now.

Fill your lamp with oil this Advent. Do not be caught unaware. Do not be running around at the last minute, wishing you were more well-stocked on holiness. Fill your lamp with the oil of prayer, kindness, fasting, generosity, sacrifice.

Now, watch and listen. Through your lenten sufferings, you will hear the midnight cry proclaiming. It will sound like a baby, the holy infant child.

REJOICE, REJOICE, BELIEVERS
by Laurentius Laurenti (1700)

1 Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising
and soon he will draw nigh;
up, watch in expectation!
At midnight comes the cry.

2 See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
and wait for your salvation,
the end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain
proclaim the Bridegroom near;
meet him as he approaches,
with alleluias clear.

3 You saints, who here in patience
your cross and suff’rings bore,
shall live and reign forever,
when sorrow is no more:
around the throne of glory
the Lamb you shall behold,
in triumph cast before him
your alleluias clear.

4 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
above the darkened sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption
that sets your people free!