Isaiah 40: 1-11
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3: 8-15a
Mark 1: 1-8
5.5.5.4.D. Possible tune – Bunessan (H&P 635, R&S 45)
Hear, in the desert,
Where we are living,
God’s word of comfort
Coming to us
Along the highway
Saints built before us,
To every byway
Comes the Good News.
Pass on the message,
Jesus is coming,
Freeing from bondage
Those trapped by sin,
Bearing the power,
Of cross and manger,
Coming as ruler-
Monarch of all.
Now is God’s Kin-dom*,
Made real among us,
Making us welcome
While we still wait.
Closer than breathing,
We have God’s Spirit,
Advent hope giving
Promise of life.
We are not given,
Schedules to follow,
But we will know when
God’s time is ripe.
While we are waiting,
Live out the promise,
In life creating
Havens of peace.
* Not only is this term more inclusive than kingdom, I think it gives a better feel for what the term meant in the ancient world where royal rule was, at least in part, an expression of the kinship of the whole people. Now the word makes us think of maps and territory rather than people and relationships. You can of course use kingdom if you prefer.
© Alan Hinton 2002
Permission given for use and private distribution, but not for commercial publication in any form.
