Scripture in Song
WAITING FOR JESUS IN ADVENT – O COME, O COME EMMANUEL!
No Advent or Christmas would be complete without singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This ancient hymn was originally sung in Latin by monks as the O Antiphons in the week before Christmas. Verses from both the Old and New Testaments are listed in the O Antiphons – a list of names for Jesus. Below is a selection of Bible verses from Isaiah related to the O Antiphons and prophecies of the coming of Jesus.
O Wisdom: Isaiah 11:2-3
On him the spirit of the LORD rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and a fear of the LORD. (The fear of the Lord is his breath).
He does not judge by appearances; he gives no verdict on hearsay.
O Lord: Isaiah 11:4-5
But judges the wretched with integrity, and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the land.
Integrity is the loincloth around his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips.
O Root of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1, 10
A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots.
That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.
O Key of David: Isaiah 22:22
I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; should he open, no one shall close, should he close, no one shall open.
O Dayspring: Isaiah 9:1b
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great life; on those live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
O King of the Nations: Isaiah 9:6
Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for his royal power, which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of the LORD Sabaoth will do this.
O With Us is God: Isaiah 7:14
The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel.
We invite you to use this section as a prayer tool and access point for anyone looking at scripture this year.
We have a monthly theme and song to accompany you as you pray with the scripture.
NOVEMBER 2020 – KINGDOM ON EARTH
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12: The Sermon on the Mount.
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
OCTOBER 2020 – I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
SEPTEMBER 2020 – PSALM 103
The Majesty of God’s creation Pope Francis as established 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on “every person living on this planet” to care for…
AUGUST 2020 – LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
JULY 2020 – DO NOT WORRY
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
May 2020
Mary our Mother – John 2:1-12
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.
April 2020
God’s Love For Us – Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.