Advent Wreath

Hello friends, I'm afraid I've been swamped under. My Dad died in late October, and while that was a merciful thing, it was also draining and has kept me from getting to several of the things I promised.

I'm posting an Advent wreath liturgy, which on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent will be of help to noone until Year B comes around again in 3 years. It wasn't even my assignment! But it's what I ended up working on. So I figured better to share it than not.

What I've done is taken the Year A Advent candle lighting liturgy that was written for Call to Worship last year, and updated the inner lines to reflect the Year B texts instead. I don't know who originally wrote this (Kim or David, can you tell us?), but I loved what the last 2 lines did with the light images. So here it is, with my wishes for each of you and your congregations that you know God's gifts of longing and love in this season.

Marney


ADVENT CALLS TO WORSHIP – for Year B (2008)

Advent 1
- based on Isaiah 64:1-2
This is the season of holy waiting.
We wait for the One who will tear open the heavens
and come down to save us.
We watch for the day when God’s name will be made known among the nations.
We wait in the shadows for the Light of the World to appear.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Advent 2
- based on Isaiah 40:1-2
This is the season of holy waiting.
We watch for the day when our warfare will be ended.
We wait for the One who can bring comfort and speak peace.
We wait while the night begins to glow with the light of day.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Advent 3
- based on Isaiah 61:1-3
This is the season of holy waiting.
We wait for the One whose word can set captives free.
We watch for the day when all who mourn will know gladness and praise.
We wait while the dawning light appears on the horizon.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Advent 4
- based on Luke 1:47-52
This is the season of holy waiting.
We watch for the One who scatters the proud and lifts up the lowly.
We wait for the day when our spirits will rejoice to know God’s favor.
We watch while the light of day begins to fill the sky.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Christmas Eve/Day
- based on John 1:9, & Luke 2:14
The One for whom we have been waiting is born!
The True Light, which enlightens all people, has come into the world.
On this night we sing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest!”
On this night the light of God fills the heavens and illumines the earth.
The glory of God shines all around us.
Come let us walk in the light of God!


Christmas 1
- based on Isaiah 61:10-11
Children of God, let us rejoice with our whole being in God, our Savior.
For God has clothed us with the bright robes of salvation.
Our God will cause righteousness and praise to be seen among the nations.
Like a burning torch, the Light of the World leads us.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Christmas 2
based on John 1:9, 14
The True Light, which enlightens all people, has come into the world.
The Word of God became flesh and lives among us.
The glory of God shines all around us.
We will walk in the light of God!