Song of Songs Advent Devotion for Couples – Advent 2 Tuesday
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming. We hear these familiar words around Christmas. This unique image of Christ and the Church is from Song of Songs 2, and it can teach us about our relationship to Christ, and to those closest to us.
Opening Prayer
The first and second Advent candles (violet) are lit.
The husband may say, or the couple may say together:
In the name of the Father and of † the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, who has created man and woman and provided them with the estate of marriage, provide us in our relationship the kind of love that reflects your love for us. For you gave your Son to purchase us by his blood, and you will send him again to bring us to the heavenly wedding feast on the Last Day. Strengthen us by your Word as we expect his Advent. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Together you may confess the Apostles’ Creed and pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Song of Songs 2:1-2
Wedding – Marital Bliss
Wife: I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
Husband: As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.
A reflection by Kelly Schumacher of Agnus Dei on Song of Solomon 2:1
Copyright 2010,
Used with permission.
Signed Giclee print available for purchase at AdCrucem.com
A reflection by Kelly Schumacher of Agnus Dei on Song of Solomon 2:2
Copyright 2010,
Used with permission.
Signed Giclee print available for purchase at AdCrucem.com
A reflection by Kelly Schumacher of Agnus Dei.
Copyright 2019,
Used with permission.
Notice the rose which is blooming around the Christ Child.
Signed print available for purchase at Squareup.com/store/agnus-dei-liturgical-arts
Discussion
Rose: The “Rose of Sharon” has traditionally been used as an image of the Virgin Mary, who bore and gave birth to God’s Son; it is also an image of the Church.
Why might a rose be a picture of the Church?
When the angel Gabriel announced God’s Word to Mary that she would be the mother of God, she believed the angel’s words and so received Jesus in her womb as “conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
When we hear God’s Word, what (or whom) do we receive?
Through Christ, we who were “thorny” become lovely.
Hymn
Hymn verses this week: “The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us,” vv. 3, 6
(Listen to the melody here)
3. They will not blush to own us
As brothers, sisters dear;
Love ever will be shown us
When we with them appear.
We all shall come before Him
Who for us Man became,
As Lord and God adore Him,
And ever bless His name.
6. In mansions fair and spacious
Will God the feast prepare
And, ever kind and gracious,
Bid us its riches share.
There bliss that knows no measure
From springs of love shall flow,
And never-changing pleasure
His bounty will bestow.
Author: Johann Walter; Translator: Matthias Loy
Benediction
The almighty and most merciful Lord, the Father, the † Son, and the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us. Amen.
Devotions by Rev. Michael Lilienthal and Rev. Jeff Hendrix.
Jeffrey Hendrix
I serve as pastor of an Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregation in Oregon, WI. But I never wanted to be a pastor. I wanted to produce media. I went to Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN for communication/video production, and while I was there, I began to appreciate historic Lutheran doctrine and practice, recognizing the beauty and teaching in the design of the divine service. Professors encouraged me to consider studying for the pastoral office, and I listened. So now I produce media for churches (See my website LutheranSynodPublishing.com) as a pastor.
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