Advent 22

Lord and Lamb, Alpha and Omega,

You exalt, and you bring low. You bring your recompense with you. Blessed be your name. As the brothers of Joseph turned out their sacks by your hand, so also each of us will have souls turned out before you, and our deeds you will repay. What will you find in us?

Merciful Lord, let it be the righteous treasure you have put there yourself, saying, “Peace to you; do not be afraid. Your God has given you treasure and has received full payment.” You have given us righteousness we have not deserved, so let us weep for ourselves, and cast down our own lives daily to intercede for our brothers.

As for you, why has God forsaken you—you in whose hands is the judgment of all yet who fell accused, you who are the first and the last yet who was made less than a man, you who offers healing to the nations yet whose hands and feet are pierced? It is the cup the Father gave you, the one we should have to drink ourselves. Praise you, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. And have mercy, Lord Jesus.