Advent is a “peculiar” season. Its petition, “Come, Lord Jesus,” is the constant refrain throughout its four weeks. Those words pulse with a holy urgency. But an important question to ask ourselves is this: to whom are those words addressed? This is the question Genevieve Glen, OSB, raises in her new book, By Lamplight: A Book of Biblical Reflections. Is our “Come, Lord Jesus” addressed to a Christ born long ago in Bethlehem—and is now long gone? Or are they addressed to a Christ who will come in future glory at the end of time? Glen implies that the best answer might be “neither.” For the truth is, when we pray “Come, Lord Jesus,” we are mostly asking Jesus to come now… here… today… in this time… in this place… in this particular situation.
Heaven knows we need Jesus’ presence in our world today. Just glance at our headlines. Just think of the loved ones you are worried about. Just think of friends and acquaintances who have serious health issues. And just look into your own heart for those places you need Jesus’ love, mercy, and strength.
With this thought in mind, here is a short Advent prayer I wrote that can be prayed not only in Advent, but in other seasons as well. Maybe you’ll find yourself in some of these petitions.
Come, Lord Jesus
When we find ourselves anxious about many things… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we don’t know what to do next… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we feel overwhelmed by the demands being placed upon us… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’re grieving the loss of a loved one… Come, Lord Jesus.
When family members are estranged from one another or are at odds with each other… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we feel lonely and left out… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we don’t feel like celebrating Christmas—or anything… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’ve lost patience with others and with ourselves… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’re petty and self-righteous… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we can’t bear to hear one more sad story… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’re ready to give up all hope for a better world… Come, Lord Jesus.
And…
When we’re encouraged by the kindness of a stranger… Come, Lord Jesus.
When a loved one says “thank you” for our small favor… Come, Lord Jesus.
When our hearts are touched by one of the Advent readings… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we feel like making an angel in the newly fallen snow… Come, Lord Jesus.
When our cookies turn out well… Come, Lord Jesus.
When a child makes us laugh… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we spot a red cardinal against the white snow… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’re moved to take some canned goods to our local food pantry… Come, Lord Jesus.
When the cat starts purring on our lap… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we’re warmed by the thought of seeing family and friends again… Come, Lord Jesus.
When we go to sleep counting our blessings… Come, Lord Jesus.
For reflection: I invite you to add a few petitions of your own to this prayer…
I wish you all a very blessed Advent!
PS: I am making my annual retreat November 27 to December 4. I ask for your prayers. I also promise to remember you, my “sunflower community,” in special prayer each day! Thank you!
Today’s song is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” I was amazed at all the different versions of this 12th Century Hymn that are available on YouTube. You might want to check them out. This version is a traditional Choral hymn sung in English and the original Latin. The words are set against some lovely stained glass windows.
As always, I encourage you to comment on today’s reflection below.
11 Responses
Sister Melannie, I found your Advent Prayer so moving. Such a gift you have for finding the words that deeply touch our hearts, meeting them in the everyday. God be with you as you retreat, intentionally making time to grow, heal, rest or whatever your heart may need.
I am touched by this advent prayer, “Come Lord Jesus”. I am going to share it with my siblings!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard all the verses of the song. Beautiful!
Sister Melannie—I love your Advent prayer especially the one about the cookies turning out well! Baking is one of my favorite things to do this season. The music video is a beautiful version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
You will be in my prayers during the weeks as you attend your retreat. Come, Lord Jesus!
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
I echo all the sentiments above, and then some! I used your prayer as a form of meditation, breathing in the clause, holding, breathing out “Come, Lord Jesus.,” three words that will stay with me all day.
When we wake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep due to a thousand thoughts….Come, Lord Jesus.
May your retreat be a time of healing, rest, and reflection!
Prayers for you as you begin your retreat!
I love your blogs, and I also your columns that I’ve seen in Living Faith and in my Give Us This Day book. They will really be speaking to me, and then I get to the bottom of the page and see your name!
I have not been receiving Sunflower Seeds lately. I have to search for it.
Good morning, Melannie,
You remind us that Jesus is constantly here. He comes through our simple efforts of goodness – “Come, Christian, the world is waiting for Christ!”
May your retreat days remind you of the countless ways you bring Jesus to us! Thank you!
When I’m sad, mad, or glad, come Lord Jesus!
Melannie, may you have an awesome retreat this week. Just know that you are in my prayers! You are such a gift to me. God bless you and may this retreat be one of the best you have ever had! Dear one, I am still not receiving Sunflower Seeds anywhere. It used to be on my email every Monday morning. I know you have had difficulty for quite a few weeks getting your company to get it back to us. Just let me know what we need to do to find you every Monday morning.
May your retreat time be a time for healing, rest, and relaxation! Bless you!
Add https://www.melanniesvobodasnd.org/ to your favorites, or bookmark it, or just start typing melannie into your address bar and it will probably auto-fill since you’ve been there before. Or google “melannie svoboda sunflower seeds” and it will come up in the search results.
Wherever or whatever the situation be, Come, Lord Jesus! What a wide and manifold ways to ask Jesus, Come Lord! Truly he will be busy to each and everyone’s prayer, but he will be there… Many thanks, Sr Melannie for this Advent Prayer.
When I don’t want to celebrate Christmas….or anything Come Lord Jesus
Since my husband died 20 years ago, my Christmas spirit went with him.
The song was beautiful and I will be praying to Lord Jesus for enough spirit to appreciate my family and friends.
Thanks!