A while back, Eric Hutchinson recommended to me a nineteenth century liturgy produced by the German Reformed Church (for more details, see Eric’s posts here and here). Below is its prayer for Advent for your encouragement and edification.
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the mouths of Thy prophets and holy men of old, didst proclaim the Advent of Thy Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Desire of all nations, the Hope of Israel, the Redeemer of the world; aid us, we beseech Thee, at this time, to repent heartily and truly of all our sins, and so to humble ourselves that we may be prepared to receive Him with gladness and join in the cry: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!
Arise, O Sun of Righteousness, with healing in Thy wings, that the nations which sit in darkness and in the shadow of death may behold Thy light, that all flesh may see the salvation of our God. O Thou true Light, which lightest every man that cometh into the world; shine into our hearts and give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, that beholding Thy glory, we may be changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Grant us grace, we beseech Thee, to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear, in daily watchfulness and prayer, ever looking forward, and hasting unto the day of Thy second coming, when Thou shalt appear again in the clouds of heaven with all Thy holy angels, to be admired of all them that believe, and dreaded by all them who have not obeyed Thy gospel; so that when Thou dost come in the glory of Thy power, we may be able with all the saints to lift up our heads with joy as we behold the fulness of our redemption drawing nigh.
Hear us, O Thou eternal Son of the Father, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
