a blessing for the advent of joy

God, we are waiting,
we are longing for You,
our everlasting Joy!

O come to us, be with us,
make our joy complete!

God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy! John 16:22

God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Psalm 16:11

Blessed are we who wait for You
in the desert of our longing and isolation,
in the wilderness that is this our present struggle.

Blessed are we who have sat down,
to wait at the still point between desire and expectation.
We have quieted our souls to listen,
for Your words are life to us.

Blessed are we who have this settled purpose:
we are collecting ourselves,
we are getting ready,
we clearing away the space to receive You,
for we have glimpsed something
of Your glory, Your power, Your joy,
and our hope is in You!

O blessed babe of Bethlehem,
You came for this one loving purpose:
that Your joy may be in us,
and that it might be complete!

God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.

Take the cup of blessing.
With each sip, drink in the assurance
that joy is for you too.

With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:3