Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A songsheet is available for this episode.  Right-click and select Save-As to copy to your local drive.

***************SHOW NOTES***************
• What has been our Advent progress these last few days, in the midst of Christmas preparations?
• Why has this story captured our hearts?
• A Christmas Carol is a fundamentally religious work.
• In what ways does pre-conversion Ebeneezer Scrooge sound almost logical in today’s society? Is he hypocritical at any point?
• How are government programs (helpful that they are) woefully inadequate in solving major social problems?
• How have self-help experts used “A Christmas Carol” to enact personal transformation in one’s life?
• Three Steps:
1) Take a good hard look at where you are today, and the milestones in your life that brought you to this point.
2) If we were to continue the path we are on, where will we be in the future?
3) Knowing the course we are on, what adjustments would we have to make in order to be assured we will go to where we want to go?
• We all need to change in some area; we are not perfect. What areas would we need to change in order to prepare ourselves for Christmas?

Episode Log Times
2:45 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
2:58 – Gaudete In Domino Semper
4:25 – God Will Come to Save Us
8:25 – O Come Divine Messiah
11:25 – O Come O Come Emmanuel (4th & 5th verses)
13:04 – Saviour of the Nations Come
16:10 – Waiting For Your Love
23:13 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
27:18 – Song of the Week: Prepare the Way
(lyric study and guitar workshop)
32:40 – Sharing: Advent III and Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
49:36 – Final Comments and Doxology

***********SONG OF THE WEEK***********
Lyric Study and Guitar Workshop
Prepare the Way
by Charlie Hall and Louis Giglio
Copyright (c) 2002 worshiptogether.com music

******************SONGS*******************

GAUDETE IN DOMINO SEMPER (PHIL 4:4)
Roman Gradual
Gaudete in Domino semper: Iterum dico, gaudete

O rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice!

Public Domain

GOD WILL COME TO SAVE US
Nick Alexander

Say unto the anxious, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.
Say unto the broken, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.
Say unto the hurting, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.

Say unto the pris’ner, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.
Say unto the homeless, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.
Say unto the orphans, do not be afraid!
God will come to save us, surely He will save us.

Our God, He will come
And He will come to save us, He will vindicate
So be strong, be strong
God will come to save us, do not be afraid. Don’t fear.

Copyright (c) 2005 by Nick Alexander

O COME DIVINE MESSIAH
Abbe Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, 1663-1745;
tr. by S. Mary of St. Philip 1877

O Come Divine Messiah,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away.

Dear Savior, haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night and show Your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace. (v.1).

O Come Desired of nations,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold
Will break the captive fetters
Redeem the long-lost fold.

O Come, in peace and meekness,
For lowly will Your cradle be:
Though clothed in human weakness
We shall Your God-head see.

Public Domain

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
veni veni Emmanuel, Latin 9th cent.;
tr. by John Neale, 1818-1866

O Come O Rod of Jesse’s stem.
From ev’ry foe deliver them.
That trust Your mighty power to save
And give them vic’try o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.

O Come O Key of David come
And open wide our heav’nly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.
Public Domain

SAVIOUR OF THE NATIONS, COME
Asc. to St. Ambrose, 340-397; tr. by William Reynolds 1812-1876
1. Saviour of the nations, come
Virgin’s Son make here thy home!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth
That the Lord chose such a birth

2. Not by human flesh and blood
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh
Woman’s Offspring, pure and fresh.

3. Wond’rous birth! O wond’rous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Mighty God and man in one
Eager now His race to run!

4. God the Father is His source
Back to God He runs His course
Down to death and hell descends
God’s high throne He re-ascends.

5. Thou, the ageless Father’s peer
Gird Thy might in mortal gear
Take on flesh to rout the wrong
Make our flesh in frailty strong.

6. Now Your lowly manger bright
Hallows night with newborn light
Let no night this light subdue
Let our faith shine ever new.

7. Praise to God, the Father, sing
Praise to God, the Son, our King
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Public Domain

WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE
Nick Alexander
Jesus, I am here, waiting for Your love
Jesus, I am here, waiting for Your love

1. I cannot go to the mountaintop
I cannot go to the sea
In my abode, I wait for You
Please meet me.

2. You said that You’d come if only I’d wait for You
You said that I’d find if only I’d seek
You can open the door that I find so hard to unlock
Please meet me.

Jesus, here I wait. Please don’t hesitate.
I know Your Word is true.
So Lord, draw me to You.

Copyright (c) 1998 by Nick Alexander Music.

Referenced in the Program:
Michael Hyatt’s Life Plan

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below
or leave a message at 203/701-7771

Did you know that Nick Alexander is available for keynotes? For comedy? For worship? For teaching about the faith?
Learn about what Nick Alexander can bring to your community, youth rally, keynote or event.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A download of the songsheet is available. Right-Click here and select “Save As”.

******************SONGS*******************

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
veni veni Emmanuel, Latin 9th cent.; tr. by John Neale, 1818-1866

O Come O Wisdom from on high.
Who order’st all things mightily
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

O Come O come great Lord of might
Who to Your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.

Public Domain

WAKE, AWAKE FOR NIGHT IS FLYING
Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608; Tr. by Catherine Winkworth

1. “Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take! Hallelujah!
With bridal care, yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near.”

2. Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing,
She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious,
Her Star is ris’n, her Light is come.
“Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, Hail! Hosanna!
The joyful call, we answer all
And follow to the nuptial hall.”

3. Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee,
Let men and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where, dwelling with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No vision ever brought,
No ear hath ever caught such great glory;
Therefore will we, eternally
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee.

Public Domain

COME DOWN, O LOVE DIVINE
Bianco da siena, d. 1434, Tr. R.F. Littledale, 1867
R. Vaughn Williams, 1906

Come down, O Love divine, Seek thou this soul of mine
And visit it with thine own ardor glowing
O Comforter, draw near, Within my heart appear,
And kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn, Till earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let thy glorious light, Shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power of human telling.
For none can guess its grace, Till He become the place
Where in the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling

Public Domain

HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL
J. Sibellius; Words Unknown

His Name, His Name, shall be called Wonderful
His Name, His Name, shall be called Counselor
The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father
The Prince of Peace, through all eternity.
The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father
The Prince of Peace, through all eternity.

Copyright Unknown
DOMINE, MISERICORDIAM TUAM
Roman Gradual

Domine, misericordiam tuam
Et Salutare tuum da nobis.

O Lord, show forth Thy mercy unto us
And the salvation of Yours, grant to us.

Public Domain

***********SONG OF THE WEEK***********
Lyric Study and Guitar Workshop
So Come
by Kevin Prosch and Tom Davis
Copyright (c) 1991 Mercy Publishing & 1991 Michael Thomas Publishing

YouTube

***************SHOW NOTES***************

• What has been our Advent progress these last few days, in the midst of Christmas preparations?
• How far can one tolerate a person’s eccentricities before they perceive that person to be a threat?
• This is the rare film that shows how one man’s unique claims becomes a threat to the corporate culture, politicians, and the justice department.
• “Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.” What do you think of this statement?
• It is a grave disservice to “faith” to relegate it to “We have to believe, otherwise life would become unbearable.”
• In what ways does the radical claims of Jesus have veracity even to today?
• “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 ; What does this verse mean to you?
• Who was the real St. Nicholas? When did he live? What great accomplishments did he do? What actions of his led to some of the traditions of today?
• What are examples of commercialism that do not interfere with the meaning of the Christmas season? What are some companies that truly care for those in need, both through philanthropy and through addressing the concerns of their patrons?
• Are there people in your area in great need during this time? How can you help assist them, without attribution?

Episode Log Times
1:34 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
1:57 – O Come O Come Emmanuel (2nd verse)
4:52 – Wake, Awake For Night Is Flying
9:41 – Come Down, O Love Divine
12:10 – His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful
14:37 – Domine, Misericordiam Tuam
16:26 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
21:05 – Song of the Week: So Come (lyric study and guitar workshop)
26:52 – Sharing: Advent II and “Miracle on 34th Street”
43:17 – Final Comments and Doxology

**********************
Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests
or leave a message at 203/701-7771

Did you know that Nick Alexander is available for keynotes? For comedy? For worship? For teaching about the faith?
Learn here about what Nick Alexander can bring to your community, youth rally, keynote or event. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A songsheet is available.  Right-Click and Save As to Download.

******************SONGS*******************

MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD
Author Unknown

My soul doth magnify the Lord
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior
For He that is mighty hath done great things
And holy is His Name.

My soul doth magnify the Lord
My soul doth magnify the Lord
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior
For He that is mighty hath done great things
And holy is His Name.
Copyright unknown

LIFT JESUS HIGHER
Author Unknown

Lift Jesus higher, lift Jesus higher
Lift Him up for the world to see
He said “If I be lifted up from the earth
I will draw all men unto me.”
Copyright unknown

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Author Unknown

O when the saints go marching in
O when the saints go marching in
O Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

And on that Hallelujah Day…
When trumpet sounds the call…
When the revelation comes…
Copyright unknown

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS
Author Unknown

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say “Rejoice!”
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say “Rejoice!”
Rejoice! Rejoice and again I say “Rejoice!”
Rejoice! Rejoice and again I say “Rejoice!”
Copyright unknown

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
Public Domain

O Come O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here.
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.
Copyright unknown

THE DOOR (REV 3:20)
Nick Alexander
Based on Revelation 3:20

Behold the words of our Lord:
He stands and knocks at your Door!
If anyone would hear His voice,
If only they would make the choice
To open the Door, He’ll come in,
He’ll eat with you, you with Him,
Consider, it’s time, to let Him come in.

We wait for You, wait for You , O Lord!…
Copyright (c) 2012 Nick Alexander
SEE, HE COMES
Christopher Wordsworth 1807-55

1. See, He comes whom ev’ry nation
Taught of God desired to see,
Filled with hope and expectation
That He would our Saviour be.

Sing oh sing with exultation
Haste we to our Father’s Home
Peace, redemption, joy, salvation
Now from heaven to earth are come.

2. See, He comes whom Kings and sages
Prophets, patriarchs of old
Distant climates and countless ages,
Waited eager to behold.

3. See, the Lamb of God appearing,
God of God from heaven above!
See, the Heavenly Bridegroom cheering
His dear Bride with words of love!

Glory to th’Eternal Father,
Glory to th’Incarnate Son
Glory to the Holy Spirit
Glory to the Three in One.

Public Domain

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK
Edward Mote, William B. Bradbury

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

2. When darkness veils His mighty face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy wind
My anchor hold I’m safe within.

3. His oath, His covenant, His love
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dress’d in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

Public Domain

HARK, A HERALD VOICE IS SOUNDING
L:5th or 6th century., Tr. E. Caswall, 1814-78.
M:W.H. Monk, 1823-89

1. Hark, a herald voice is sounding
“Christ is nigh!” it seems to say;
“Cast away the dreams of darkness
O ye children of the day!”

2. Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

3. Lo! the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n;
Let us haste with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

4. So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear
May He then as our Defender,
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

5. Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit
While eternal ages run.
Public Domain

AD TE LEVAVI
Roman Gradual

Ad te levavi animam meam:
Deus meus, in te confido…
Etenim universi qui te excpectant,
Non confundentur.

To Thee, I lift up, this soul of mine.
O God of mine, in You I have trusted…
And do not anyone who would wait on Thee
Be ever confounded.
Public Domain

***********SONG OF THE WEEK***********

Lyric Study and Guitar Workshop

Waiting Here For You

by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Martin Smith

Copyright (c) 2011 worshiptogether.com songs/sixsteps Music/Vamos Publishing/Curious? MusicUK(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 ***************SHOW NOTES***************

• How does you celebrate Advent in the midst of a secular Christmas celebration?
• How differently would Christ’s return be, compared to when He first arrived?
• How similar are George Bailey’s aspirations to your own?
• Is there a problem with George Bailey’s deep longings for “greatness?”
• Why did George Bailey ultimately stay (begrudgingly) inBedfordFalls?
• What’s so great about competing businesses, as opposed to monopolies?
• Have you ever asked how the world would be different had you not existed?
• If George Bailey had been able to pursue his ambitious dreams, how different would the “alternate world” have been?
• Why does the ending of the film work as well as it does?
• If we were to become dependent on others, do you foresee your friends to come to your aid?
• How similar to this is the Great Judgment?
• What are some ways we can help others in their need, today?
• How is surrendering your own will to that of Christ’s be the best thing for you?

Episode Log Times

2:08 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
2:56 – My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord (Medley)
8:07 – O Come O Come Emmanuel (1st verse)
9:41 – The Door / See, He Comes
15:32 – On Christ the Solid Rock
18:39 – Hark, A Herald Voice is Sounding
22:05 – Ad Te Levavi
23:57 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
26:54 – Song of the Week: Waiting Here For You (lyric study and guitar workshop)
32:31 – Sharing: Advent and “It’s A Wonderful Life”
49:53 – Final Comments and Doxology

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below, 
or leave a message at 203/701-7771

Join the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY at www.facebook.com/prayermeetingpodcast

Learn about what Nick Alexander can bring to your community, youth rally, keynote or event: http://www.nickalexander.com

If you like this podcast, please feel free to leave a comment on the iTunes page.
Thank you for listening!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A songsheet for this podcast is available.  Right click here to download.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A PDF songsheet is available for this podcast.  Right click here to download.

********************************SHOW NOTES********************************

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving every year?
How does one thank God, if their circumstances are hard?
What does Romans 5:3-5 say?
How does one grow when they undergo hardships?
What happens to their personality when they continue to build up their capacity for endurance ?
How has growth in personal character given rise to hope in your own life?

***********************************SONGS*****************************************
WE PLOW THE FIELDS
Public Domain, Arr. by Nick Alexander

1. We plow the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is watered By God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine and soft, refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us are sent from heav’n above
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His love

2. He only is the Maker of all things near and far
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star
The winds and waves obey Him, By Him the birds are fed
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

3. We thank Thee, then O Father,
For all things bright and good
The seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer for all Thy imparts
But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.

COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE COME
Public Domain, Arr. by Nick Alexander

1. Come, ye thankful people come
Raise the song of harvest home
All are safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin
God our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied
Come to God’s own temple, come
Raise the song of harvest home

3. For the Lord, our God shall come
And shall take His harvest home
From His field, shall in that day
All offenses purge away
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.

2. All the world is God’s own field
Fruit unto His praise to yield
Grant O harvest Lord that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be

4. Even so, Lord quickly come
To Your final harvest home
Gather all Your people in
Free from sorrow, free from sin
There, forever purified
In Your presence to abide
Come with all Your angels come
Raise the glorious harvest home.

2. All the world is God’s own field
Fruit unto His praise to yield
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown
First the blade and then the ear
Then the full corn shall appear
Grant O harvest Lord that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be

THANK YOU JESUS
by Robert Filoramo, Jr. , slight arr. by Nick Alexander

We are in awe as we behold what You have done.
We stand amazed as we see Your plan unfold.
What can we say, what can we do to express our gratitude
For revealing Your great power in our lives?

We once were lost, but now we have been found
We were dead thru our sin but now we live
What can we say but “Thank You Jesus!”?
For all that You have done in our lives

We’re in Your care, and so we do not fear
Abundant life is all that lies in store
Life filled with peace, life filled with joy, life that is secure.
In the hands of the Almighty, Jesus Christ

We’ve been set free, by Your precious saving blood
Now we’re heirs to heaven, and children of God.
And what can we say but “Thank You Jesus!”?
For all that You have done in our lives.

What can we say but “Thank You Jesus!”?
For all that You have done for us.
And what can we say but “Thank You Jesus!”?
For all that You have done in our lives.

Copyright (c) 1996 Robert Filoramo, Jr., www.bobfiloramo.com Used by Permission

WE WORSHIP AND ADORE THEE
Unknown

We worship and adore Thee
Bowing down before Thee
Songs and praises singing
Hallelujahs ringing.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen.

THANK YOU JESUS
Ed Becker

Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus!
Thank You Jesus for Your love.

Copyright (c) 1993 by Ed Becker, Eighth Day Music, P O Box 1638, Beltsville, MD 10704

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
Johann Cruger, Marin Rinkart

1. Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices
Who from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God, Thru all our life be near us
With ever joyful hearts, and blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills in this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God, the Father now be given
The Son and Him who reigns, With them in highest heaven
The on eternal God, Whom earth and heav’n adore
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

All songs are in the public domain, unless otherwise noted.

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below,
or leave a message at 203/701-7771