This holy season is intended to prepare us by rousing (stirring) up sentiments of contrition and hope in us, as we count down the weeks till we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Contrition for our sins, and hope in the Child Jesus, who is our salvation.
The theme of rousing up (excita) is present in three of the four Advent Sunday collect prayers. In fact, it is also used in today's collect prayer for the 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost. Similar to Lent, the entire point of the season of Advent is preparation for his coming; both for the coming of His birth at Christmas this year, as well as for His second coming as our Judge at the end of time...whenever that may be.
24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost
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Excita, quaesumus, Domine, tuorum fidelium voluntates: ut divini operis fructum propensius exsequentes, pietatis tuae remedia maiora percipiant. Per Dominum nostrum…
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Rouse up, we beg you, Lord, the resolution of your faithful people. As they more readily seek the fruit of the divine work may they receive from your goodness even greater helps. Through our Lord…
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1st Sunday of Advent
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Excita, quæsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: ut ab imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum periculis, te mereámur protegénte eripi, te liberante salvari: Qui tecum vivit…
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Rouse up your might, Lord, we implore you, and come, that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and by your deliverance, be saved. For you live and reign…
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2nd Sunday of Advent
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Excita, Domine, corda nostra ad praeparandas Unigeniti tui vias: ut per eius adventum purificatis tibi mentibus servire mereamur: Qui vivis et regnas…
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Rouse up our hearts, Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son, that we may be worthy to serve you with purified minds, through his coming. Who lives and reigns…
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3rd Sunday of Advent
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Aurem tuam, quaesumus, Domine, precibus nostris accommoda: et mentis nostrae tenebras gratia tuae visitationis illustra. Qui tecum vivit…
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Incline your ear to our prayers, we implore you Lord; and by the grace of your visitation, enlighten the darkness of our minds. For you live and reign…
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4th Sunday of Advent
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Excita, quaesumus, Domine, potentiam tuam, et veni: et magna nobis virtute succurre; ut per auxilium gratiae tuae, quod nostra peccata praepediunt, indulgentia tuae propitiationis acceleret: Qui tecum vivit…
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Rouse up your might, we implore you, Lord, and come; with great power assist us, that by the help of your grace, whatever has been impeded by our sins may be sped forward by your merciful kindness. For you live and reign…
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Let us implore Almighty God, by the gift of his grace, to rouse up in us true contrition for our sins, charity towards God and our neighbor, and a vivifying Hope in the power of the Child Jesus, who is to be born in Bethlehem on Christmas night, to draw us home to the bosom of our Father in Heaven. Let us heed the "voice of one crying in the wilderness" and "prepare the way of the Lord."
A blessed Advent season to all of you.