Working on the resurrection in Advent

I know it is Advent but a biblical studies conference beckons and I am working on a paper on the resurrection, exploring the historicity of the empty tomb.

That, a sermon tomorrow on a collect (see below), and a series of obligatory social events (two lunches, two dinners, one ball in the space of three days) are taking up precious blogging time :)

Meantime, in a slow way, the resurrection of Theology House is proceeding, but we have not quite clinched a deal on a new location so I can only prophesy that resurrection, not give an eye-witness account of it!

Here's the collect:

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power

and come among us,

and with great might succour us;

that whereas, through our sins and wickedness

we are grievously hindered

in running the race that is set before us,

your bountiful grace and mercy

may speedily help and deliver us;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honour and glory, now and forever. Amen.

(Church of England - Common Worship. Based on collect originally from Gelasian Sacramentary and translated and adapted by Thomas Cranmer)