This hymn of the day for Advent 4A celebrates the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, but in such a way that the text could also be used during the Christmas season. Stanza one is inspired by the interchange between God and Ahaz in Isaiah 7:10, but transposed to recognize that the sign has been given in Jesus as Emmanuel, the name and title revealed to Joseph in the gospel appointed for today. Stanza two chose Isaiah 9:1 and the Prologue of the Gospel of John to reflect on the signs of God’s presence in light and word. Stanza three anticipates the incarnation mystery announced in the gospel reading today that Mary was “found with child through the Holy Spirit.” Stanza four reminds us that the child of Bethlehem grew to be a man who identified himself with the least of his brothers and sisters in Matthew 25:40.<\/p>\n
I recommend that this 87.87.87.7 text be sung to DIVINUM MYSTERIUM although other hymn tunes might also be explored. The text is copyrighted by The Jan Michael Joncas Trust and published by Oregon Catholic Press in Within Our Hearts Be Born. The Michael Joncas Hymnary: Advent and Christmas<\/em>.<\/p>\n “Seek a sign,” the prophet counseled, When we long had walked in darkness, God’s great sign at last is given Yet this sign today confronts us This hymn of the day for Advent 4A celebrates the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, but in such a way that the text could also be used during the Christmas season. Stanza one is inspired by the interchange between God and Ahaz in Isaiah 7:10, but transposed to recognize that the sign […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[22],"tags":[2437,3065],"class_list":["post-35100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-music-hymns","tag-fourth-sunday-of-advent","tag-year-a"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n“deep as earth or high as sky.
\nSeek a sign to bolster courage
\nwhen faith falters or hope dies.
\nKnow that God will come to meet us
\nand within our midst will dwell:
\nGod with us, Emmanuel.”<\/p>\n
\nGod appeared in glimm’ring light.
\nWhen we long had sat in silence,
\nGod’s word echoed in the night.
\nNow our God has come to meet us
\nand within our midst to dwell
\nGod with us, Emmanuel.<\/p>\n
\nfor all those with eyes to see:
\nnot as lightning rending heaven
\nbut a child on mother’s knee.
\nHere our God has come to meet us
\nand within our midst to dwell:
\nGod with us, Emmanuel.<\/p>\n
\nwith God’s presence to our race
\nin the child, the poor, the needy —
\nall who bear a human face.
\nHere our God still comes to meet us
\nand within our midst does dwell:
\nGod with us, Emmanuel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"