I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”

Psalm 122:1
Getting Ready for Church: Populus Zion - Advent 2

Scripture Readings For the Week:

Song of Solomon 2:8b-14
Romans 15:4-13
Luke 21:25-36

In the Prophecy from the Song of Solomon, the Holy Bride of Christ sings in joy because she knows that her beloved, Jesus Christ her Lord, is drawing near. She loves to hear His voice, she thrills to see His face. In the Epistle from Romans 15, St. Paul tells us that Christ Jesus has come as the Savior of God’s Old Testament people, and that His work is so gracious and merciful that the Gentiles are brought into the same salvation. This salvation comes from the root of Jesse, the Son of David, Christ our King. In the Holy Gospel from Luke 21, Jesus tells us the signs that will proceed His second Advent, when He will come to judge the living and the dead. These are not to cause us to fear, but to rejoice because our Lord is drawing near. He warns us not to be weighed down with the cares and the snares of this world, but to make ourselves ready to see Him.

Prayer of the Day:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

333 Once He Came in Blessing
336 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
TLH 64 Jesus, Thy Church With Longing Eyes
362 O Sing of Christ
338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 70a Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!
Translation Here

  1. Chorus
    Watch! pray! pray! watch!
    Be ready
    all the time,
    until the Lord of glory
    brings this world to an end.
  2. Aria A
    When will the day come, on which we shall depart
    out of the Egypt of this world?
    Ah! Let us soon flee out of Sodom,
    before the fire falls on us!
    Watch, souls, get up from your complacency
    and believe, it is the end of time!
  3. Aria S
    Let the tongues of the mockers scorn,
    yet it will and must occur,
    that we shall behold Jesus
    upon the clouds, in the heights.
    World and heaven may pass away,
    Christ’s word must remain firm.
    Let the tongues of the mockers scorn;
    yet it will and must occur!
  4. Aria T
    Lift up your heads
    and be comforted, O righteous ones,
    even to the bloom of your souls!
    You shall flourish in Eden,
    serving God eternally.
  5. Aria B
    Blessed day of revival,
    lead me to your halls!
    Resound, peal, last stroke,
    world and heaven, fall in ruins!
    Jesus leads me to quiet,
    to the place where pleasure is complete.
  6. Chorale
    Not for the world, nor for heaven
    does my soul long and yearn,
    I desire Jesus and his light,
    Who has with God forgiven me,
    Who frees me from judgment,
    I will not abandon my Jesus.