Advent Candle Liturgies 2015

2015 Advent/Christmas Theme: Giving Voice to God’s Promise

Each week begins with a bit of the psalm for the day. This should be read by someone other than the person leading the “one” part of the candle liturgy. It is also perfectly okay to leave the psalm out if necessary or desired.

~~~~~~~~~

November 29 (Advent 1—2 Kings 22.1-10, 23.1-3: Listen // hope) Psalm 25.4-5

Reader: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, 

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

One:    In the beginning was the Word—

spoken and breathed,

a promise made and kept.

All:     Listen and hear—

God’s promise is true!

One:    The Word was in the beginning,

and through him all things come into being.

All:     Eternal and near at hand,

Already and not-yet,

God’s promise is the foundation of all life.

One:    Listen!

            Hear the covenant anew, giving voice to a future with hope.

~candle is lit~

   ~sung response~

December 6 (Advent 2—Isaiah 40.21-11: Speak // peace)  Psalm 126.2

Reader: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, 

             and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations, 

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

One:    In the beginning was the Word—

spoken and breathed,

a promise made and kept.

All:     Speak it loud and clear—

God’s promise is true!

One:    The Word was in the beginning,

and through him all things come into being.

All:     Eternal and near at hand,

Already and not-yet,

God’s promise is the foundation of all life.

One:    Do not hold back!

Speak out, giving voice to God’s peace that passes all understanding.

~candle is lit~

   ~sung response~

December 13 (Advent 3—Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13: Persevere // joy)  Isaiah 12.5-6

Reader: Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

One:    In the beginning was the Word—

spoken and breathed,

a promise made and kept.

All:     Persevere in hope, keep the faith—

God’s promise is true!

One:    The Word was in the beginning,

and through him all things come into being.

All:     Eternal and near at hand,

Already and not-yet,

God’s promise is the foundation of all life.

One:    Keep going!

Persevere in joy, giving voice to God’s presence yet again.

~candle is lit~

   ~sung response~

December 20 (Advent 4—Luke 1.5-24a, 57-80: Trust // love)  Luke 1.44-45

Reader: “As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

One:    In the beginning was the Word—

spoken and breathed,

a promise made and kept.

All:     Trust the good news—

God’s promise is true!

One:    The Word was in the beginning,

and through him all things come into being.

All:     Eternal and near at hand,

Already and not-yet,

God’s promise is the foundation of all life.

One:    Trust in God!

Wait with faith, giving voice to Christ’s love for all.

~candle is lit~

   ~sung response~

December 24 (Christmas Eve—Glorify)  Psalm 96

Reader: O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

One:    In the beginning was the Word—

spoken and breathed,

a promise made and kept.

All:     Glorify the Lord with me—

God’s promise is true!

One:    The Word was in the beginning,

and through him all things come into being.

All:     Eternal and near at hand,

Already and not-yet,

God’s promise is the foundation of all life.

One:    Glory!

The Word is made flesh, giving voice to God’s promise yet again.

~candle is lit~

   ~sung response~