Advent Credo
Allan Boesak

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

From Walking on Thorns, by Allan Boesak, (Eerdmans, 2004).

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path …" Psalm 27.11.
Colley Whisson, A Sunlit Bush Road, Australia 2003.

Prayer

O Lord our God,
make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin
but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 27.1-8, "Mijn licht, mijn heil is Hij, mijn God en Here".
Kerkdienst Hervormde Kerk, Samenzang Zeerijp, Netherlands, organist: Dennis Wubbs
(Don't bother much with the pictures, just turn up the volume!)

1. Mijn licht, mijn heil is Hij, mijn God en Here!
Waar is het duister dat mij onheil baart?
Mijn hoge burcht is Hij, niets kan mij deren,
in zijn bescherming ben ik wel bewaard!
Of zich de boosheid tegen mij verbindt
en op mij loert opdat zij mij verslindt,
ik ken geen angst voor nood en overval:
het is de Heer die mij behouden zal!

2. Een ding slechts kan ik van den Heer verlangen,
dit ene: dat zijn gunst mij eenmaal geev'
Hem dagelijks te loven met gezangen,
te wonen in zijn huis zo lang ik leef!
Hoe lieflijk straalt zijn schoonheid van omhoog.
Hier weidt mijn ziel met een verwonderd oog,
aanschouwende hoe schoon en zuiver is
zijn licht, verlichtende de duisternis.

3. Hoe heeft Hij mij ten dage van het kwade
verborgen in het binnenst van zijn hut:
geen vijandschap ter wereld kon mij schaden,
de schaduw van zijn wolk heeft mij beschut.
Hij stelde mij als op een hoge rots,
het woelen van mijn vijanden ten trots;
daarom wil ik met vrolijk feestgerei
juichen voor Hem, want Hij bewaarde mij!

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?: the Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, come upon me to devour me: they shall stumble and fall.
3 If an army encamp against me, my heart shall not be afraid: and if war should rise against me, yet will I trust.
4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, which I will require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
5 To see the fair beauty of the Lord: and to seek his will in his temple.
6 For he will hide me under his shelter in the day of trouble: and conceal me in the shadow of his tent, and set me high upon a rock.
7 And now he will lift up my head: above my enemies round about me.
8 And I will offer sacrifices in his sanctuary with exultation: I will sing, I will sing praises to the Lord.