Advent 1 (12/1/19)
Based on Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
God’s house is a house of peace.
Peace is more than stillness or the absence of fighting.
God’s house is a house of peace.
Peace is contentment, wholeness, trust in the midst doubt and comfort with mystery.
God’s house is a house of peace.
The way of Christ is a way of peace. Those who travel this way are committed to its cause.
God’s house is a house of peace.
In God’s house, God’s people work for justice and remember that divisions and hierarchies established by the world do not give life or joy.
God’s house is a house of peace.
Here we pray for the peace of all nations, all communities, all souls.
God’s house is a house of peace.
This first candle is a reminder that we are Advent people, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
God’s house is a house of peace.
God of all peace and mercy, we give you thanks for your gift of peace which passes all understanding. As we enter into a season of preparation and activity, let us be open to the Spirit’s gift of peace in our hearts and minds. Prepare us to meet Christ in the world with words and deeds that lead to peace. Amen.
Advent 2 (12/8/19)
Based on Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
God is the hope of ages past and for the generations to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Human rulers disappoint us, even at their best, yet our hope in God is not crushed.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
The rivers, mountains, and creatures are beloved to their Creator and their trust is not misplaced.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Even when the wounds of our hearts are fresh, we breathe on, relying on the sunrise that has not failed yet, a symbol of Divine constancy.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
This second candle is a reminder that we are Advent people, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
God of all hopefulness, we thank you for your faithfulness to your covenants and to your creation. As you have kept your word from generation to generation, so we are able to live faithfully as your people. Strengthen us in Christian hope that we may bravely go into the world, meeting Christ in others and serving him in word and deed. Amen.
Advent 3 (12/15/19)
Based on Psalm 146:5-10
Joy to the world, the Lord is come. This is good news for all people.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
With divine mercy, the Lord provides enough for all.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
Those who truthfully ask to be part of God’s will being done on earth, as in heaven, find joy in their work.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
The community that carries one another in faith and is generous to outsiders feels Christ’s presence in tangible ways.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
The Lord’s promises are true and stand forever, the joy of all who trust in their Creator.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
This third candle is a reminder that we are Advent people, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
God of all tenderness and joy, we give you thanks for the wonder of your creation, seen and unseen, that works together for the flourishing of life. Sustain us with the Holy Spirit that we may become ever more fully the people you have made us to be, filled with joy and kindness for Christ’s own sake. Amen.
Advent 4 (12/22/19)
Based on Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Perfect love casts out fear.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Your love for us is perfect and yet ours for you is warped by our desire for control.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
We believe, O Lord, forgive our unbelief.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Your love is not our fire insurance, but the ground and source of our being for all our days.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
We do earnestly and humbly wish to love as you have first loved us, to love others and ourselves as you have first loved us.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
This fourth candle is a reminder that we are Advent people, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
God who is Love, your eternal mystery is beyond human understanding. Yet, you have been and are willing to reveal yourself in words and deeds of love through resurrection, renewal, and reformation. Even now, pour out on your people the love that sustains us and gives us faith, so that we may celebrate today and refuse to be afraid of tomorrow. Amen.
Christmas Eve (Christ Candle) (12/24/19)
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
God’s house is a house of peace.
God is the hope of ages past and for the generations to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come. This is good news for all people.
The Lord cares for the stranger, the orphan, and widow. The Lord frustrates the way of the wicked.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
The salvation we needed has been accomplished on our behalf.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
We are made in God’s image and God’s Christ has come as one of us.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
His glory laid aside, Jesus is born that we might know God’s love and live the life that is abundant and everlasting.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
In Emanuel, God with us, we are found by the freedom that empowers us to serve others and the beloved creation.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
This Christ candle is a reminder that we are Advent people in a Christmas world, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
Holy and gracious God, in your mercy, you gave flesh to the Living Word for us and for our salvation. On this holy night, we celebrate Christ’s birth, life, teaching, and healing. We rejoice in the fullness of his story- from the Spirit-led conception to the powerful resurrection. We thank you for the greatest gift of our lives. Love us into the same kind of generosity with our own neighbors and all whom you lead into our lives. In Christ’s own name we pray, amen.
Submitted by the Reverend Julia Seymour, Big Timber Lutheran Church (ELCA), Big Timber, MT (USA)
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