Song of Songs Advent Devotion for Couples – Advent 2 Wednesday ~ Bread for Beggars

A garden with roses, lilies, and apple trees is not what we commonly think of during this time of year. Yet, these images are ones that Scripture uses to remind us of the preview of heaven that is already ours, as we wait for our Bridegroom to make his advent to us again.

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 2:3-5

Wedding – Marital Bliss
Wife: As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

“The Spirit and The Bride Say Come!”
By Kelly Schumacher.
Copyright, Agnus Dei Liturgical Arts.
Used with permission.

Kelly comments on her art, quoting Dennis McNamara:
“In the ‘already but not yet’ nature of Christian liturgy, we are not yet fully experiencing the joys of heaven, but we get as close as we can in sacramental form, and therefore experience a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. At the appointed time, God and his creation will be completely united once again. Christ, the Bridegroom, will meet and become completely united with the Church, his Bride. Just as husband and wife become one in marriage, so to an even greater degree will God and creation become one. This intimate union with God will be complete and unmediated, wholly communion and feast (CCC, 1136). Although the ‘wedding feast of the Lamb has begun’ and his Bride, the Church is prepared to welcome him (Revelation 19:1-7), this feast of complete union between Christ and his Church is known to us only under the veil of the still fallen material world. In other words, we’re not there yet, even though we know there is a ‘there’ there and can experience it as a pledge of future glory.” (McNamara 36)
McNamara, Denis R. “Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy”. Hillenbrand Books, 2009.

Discussion

Tree: The Church is called a rose. The beloved (Christ) is called an apple tree. Jesus calls himself the tree of life in the New Testament (cf. Luke 13:18–19 & Revelation 22:1-2). God attached his Word of promise to the original tree of life in the Garden of Eden, granting eternal life through its fruit.

How does Jesus give us his ‘fruit’ today?

Banquet: A theme of Advent is a longing for the banquet of heaven. Even now Christ brings a preview of this banquet to us.

To what banquet does Jesus invite us to each Sunday? Does the bride’s love for her groom in the Song inspire you to attend the banquet of your Groom, the Lord’s Supper, more?

Whenever we take the Lord’s Supper, we pray that it may “increase our love for one another.” Consider how sharing this cup may bring you closer to Christ and closer to each other.

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“Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” is a Christmas carol that is based on Song of Songs 2:3.

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