The Third Sunday of Advent’s opening hymn, #418 “On Jordan’s Bank,” echoes John the Baptist’s announcement that we should repent to make room in our hearts for the coming of our Lord. The cantor and the congregation laud the Lord in Psalm #97 “Cry Out with Joy and Gladness,” while preparation hymns “People of the Night” (#407) and #420 “Creator of the Stars at Night” cry out to our Savior to come to us … even as an innocent child. The Liturgy of the Eucharist will be found in the Mass of Light, starting with #361 Holy, Holy, Holy. The Communion hymn is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (#395), and we should recall today’s second reading, which challenges us to rejoice in the Lord always. For the end of today’s service, let’s go forth praying for our divine Messiah to come to earth with hymn #401 “O Come Divine Messiah.”
