Advent Meditation: Week II

The second in a series of weekly Advent meditations produced by Bob Carlton in 2006. The music track is "Before This Time Another Year" by Olabelle.
 

Advent Reflection 2: How Long?

Psalm 12(13)

How long, O LORD? Wilt thou forget me for ever?
    How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

How long must I bear pain in my soul,
    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
    How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
    lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him";
    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in thy steadfast love;
    my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

(This version of an old Negro spiritual was performed by the New York-based ensemble Ollabelle. It was first recorded in 1926 by Odette & Ethel, and was eventually catalogued by folklorist Alan Lomax.)
 

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: Advent 2 Meditation

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature. For this season of Advent, this is the second in a series of meditations produced by Bob Carlton. The birth of Christ is preceded in salvation history by numerous accounts from the Old Testament which were its prelude. They are often the theme of American Negro "call and response" spiritual songs, such as “Before This Time” sung by Olabelle and chorus.