Maranatha!

Now that we've entered into Advent, our liturgical life is centered on watching for the coming of the Lord. We keep watch as we approach Christmas and remember his coming as a tiny child born of the Virgin Mary, and we also keep watch for his coming as King in glory, at the end of the age.

The video below features the Paul Manz anthem, "E'en So Lord Jesus quickly Come" based on the final chapter of the Book of Revelation. It is being sung by a choir at the First United Methodist Church in Dallas (which I drove by a few times when I lived there, but never attended). A favorite at downtown churches, perhaps, we sang this lovely piece a few times when I was in the choir at First Methodist of Baton Rouge as well.




Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen.

(United Methodist Book of Worship #250, and Book of Common Prayer 1979, p.211)