Song of Songs Advent Devotion for Couples – Advent 2 Thursday

Jesus uses a fig tree in Luke 21:25-36 (the traditional Gospel for the second Sunday in Advent), to illustrate that just as there are signs for when summer is near, there are also signs to let us know his second coming is near. The same illustration is used in Song of Songs to remind us that our heavenly bridegroom is near – yes, even with us already.

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 2:10-15

Courtship

Wife: My beloved speaks and says to me:

Husband: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”

This is levitra sale pdxcommercial.com because swallowing Caverta found a good solution to get over such sexual complexities. Before, the tools that cheap cialis no prescription Check Prices cure erectile dysfunction are tacky and not very usable. Lack of trace online viagra no prescription elements such as zinc, L-tyrosine and octacosanol are used as impotence remedies, meaning that they are able to treat erectile dysfunction that affects most of men. You will get by the names of Kamagra, Kamagra oral jelly, Silagra, Zenegra, Penegra, Cavetra, levitra low cost find these guys, Forzest etc.

Discussion

Spring: Spring has come–that means the wedding is drawing near!  Solomon personally invites his bride to begin a new life with him. (This is unique–grooms would often send a representative to go in their place.) Advent reminds us that Christ himself will again come soon to draw us to his home. Each day we get closer to the consummation of the marriage.  

In this Song, springtime brings with it the responsibility of pruning branches so they will produce more fruit.

In what ways does God “prune” you as a branch so that you bear more fruit (love & good works)?  Are there ways you can bear more fruit in your marriage? (cf. John 15:4-10)  How can you “stir up one another to love…all the more as you see the Day approaching”? (Heb. 10:24, 25)

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.