Advent // Week 2 // Dec. 10-16

A voice cries out: "In the wilderness

prepare the way of the LORD,

make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

and the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed

Lyrics: direct quotation of Isaiah 40:3-5a (NRSV)

Music: Seth Thomas Crissman and Greg Yoder, 2023

Vocals: Jessica DiPuma, Ebony Nicole, Nichole Barrows, Mitchell Yoder, Kristina Yoder, Greg Yoder

Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine,

And visit it with Thine own ardor glowing.

O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,

And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn

To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;

And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,

And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity mine outward vesture be,

And lowliness become mine inner clothing;

True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part,

And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

Bless’d be the tie that binds our hearts and souls and minds.

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,

Shall far outpass the power of human telling;

For none can guess its grace, till love creates a place

Wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

Lyrics: Bianca da Sienna, d. ca. 1434; trans. Richard Frederick Littledale, d. 1890, with chorus by Seth Thomas Crissman, 2013

Music: Seth Thomas Crissman, 2013

Vocals: Mitchell Yoder, Nichole Barrows, Ebony Nicole, Lauren Yoder, Kristina Yoder