Advent 1 – Hope (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:17-19)
One: People of God, prophets like Habbakuk pointed to a future hope, a Savior. Many: No one knew when he would come. One: They only hoped they would recognize the Messiah, the Son of God. Many: We wait with hope for the One who has come and is coming. One: Today we light a candle to symbolize our hope. We hope in the One who will come. (Light the candle of Hope.) One: People of God, a New Hope is coming. All: We will rejoice in the Lord.
Advent 2 – Peace (Esther 4:1-17)
One: People of God, Esther was a heroic woman who took a great risk to bring peace for her people. .
Many: We want peace to overcome struggle, violence, and cruelty.
One: It can be dangerous to call for peace.
Many: This might be the job God needs us to do.
One: Today we light a candle to symbolize God’s peace. We hope in the One who will come. We pray for God’s peace to prevail.
(Light the candles of Hope and Peace.)
One: People of God, take courage.
All: We take courage from the light of God’s peace.
Advent 3 – Joy (Isaiah 42:1-9)
One: People of God, Isaiah promised a servant God who would come to save us. Many: The Savior will be a light to the nations. One: People everywhere are eager for the justice he will teach and the joy he will bring. Many: We will see prison doors opened and people set free. One: Today we light a candle to symbolize the joy we anticipate. We hope in the One who will come. We pray for God’s peace to prevail. Our joy will come with God’s servant. (Light the candles of Hope, Peace and Joy.) One: People of God, great change lies ahead. Many: We wait to see it with joy!
Advent 4 – Love (Matthew 1:18-25)
One: People of God, today we hear the story of an angel appearing in a dream. Many: Joseph was a righteous man who heard God’s messenger. One: Because of his deep faith, he trusted in God’s steadfast love. Many: When we know God’s love, we can extend it to others. One: Today we light a candle to symbolize the steadfast love of God. We hope in the One who will come. We pray for God’s peace to prevail. Our joy will come with God’s servant. God’s love never ends. (Light the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.) One: People of God, remember you are God’s beloved children. Many: We celebrate God’s steadfast love!
Christmas Eve – Christ Candle (Luke 2:1-14, [15-20])
One: People of God, when the angels appeared, the shepherds were terrified. Many: We will not fear, for this is the night of Good News! One: We celebrate the good news of a baby, born in a stable. Many: Tonight we light a candle to mark his birth. One: We hope in the one who has come, Jesus Christ. (Light the Candle of Hope.) We pray for God’s peace to prevail. (Light the Candle of Peace) Our joy comes with God’s servant. (Light the candle of Joy) God’s love never ends. (Light the candle of Love) Born as one of us, Jesus became God’s living Word of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. (Light the Christ Candle) Do not be afraid! The Good News is here! All: Glory to God in the Highest!
Looking for a carol of response? Now It’s Time to Light the Candle includes Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
Liturgies (2014) and carol (2015) are copyrighted by the Rev. Martha K. Spong. You are welcome to use these liturgies, based on the Narrative Lectionary Year 1, in weekly worship at your local church. You are also free to adapt them to your circumstances (using multiple readers, for instance). Please leave a comment to let me know where they will be used. This does not constitute permission to publish the readings as a set or to claim credit for them online or in print. Thank you, as always, to Working Preacher, for inventing and refining the Narrative Lectionary.