Preparing for Ascension...

...from the liturgy and hymns of the day:

The Venerable Bede (who died on Ascension day) singing: "A hymn of glory let us sing, New songs throughout the world shall ring..." [And we've been singing it ever since.]

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? Alleluia. This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven. Alleluia" [Introit]

"...so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him." [Collect, resting largely on Colossians 3:1-4]

"...and a cloud took Him from their sight..." [Epistle; The moving of the paschal candle]

"God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet..." [Alleluia Verse]

"...and lifting up His hands, He blessed them." [Alternate Gospel]

"Up through endless ranks of angels, songs of triumph..." [Hymn of the Day]

"...so that rejoicing in His resurrection from the dead and His ascension into heaven, we may joyfully await His coming in glory to share with us the great and promised Feast." [Prayer of the Church]

"...was taken up into heaven that He might make us partakers of His divine life." [Proper Preface]

"Grant us faithfully to eat and drink this Holy Supper, trusting our reigning Savior Jesus, who, though unseen in His ascended glory, is here present to save by His body and blood." [Prayer of Thanksgiving]

"Be now our joy on earth, O Lord, And be our future great reward..." [Bede's Hymn again]