SharonMT

Advent Wreath Candlelighting: The Women of Matthew’s Genealogy

**Advent 1**

Tamar, a woman, was with child and bore twin sons.
We give thanks that Tamar confronted boldly the injustices which threatened to keep her barren. Tamar’s righteousness caused her to become a foremother of Jesus.

In these days, we need justice to roll down on us like water, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.

Hear then, O house of David!
The Lord will give you a sign.
A young woman shall bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel,
which means “God is with us.”

Advent Chorus

**Advent 2**

Rahab, a woman, was with child and bore a son.
We give thanks that Rahab, heroine of Jericho, kept Israel safe.
Rahab’s faith and knowledge mad this foreign woman an important person in Israel’s history.

In these days, we long for a new day — a day when the Earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

Hear then, O house of David!
The Lord will give you a sign.
A young woman shall bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel,
which means “God is with us.”

Advent Chorus

**Advent 3**

Ruth, a woman, was with child and bore a son. Ruth, once a childless widow, became a foremother of Jesus. Ruth was a resourceful woman. She created opportunities for herself to make choices about her future.

We look forward to the day when we who wait for the Lord shall be renewed in strength. We shall run and not be weary. We shall walk and not faint.

Hear then, O house of David!
The Lord will give you a sign.
A young woman shall bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel,
which means “God is with us.”

Advent Chorus

**Advent 4**

Uriah’s wife was with child and bore a son. Before her son was born, Uriah’s wife grieved for the deaths of her husband and another son., she and them victims of a powerful man’s desire for her. Uriah’s wife was Bathsheba, who, though victimized in her own lifetime, was a foremother of Jesus.

We wait for justice, but justice is far from us. Righteousness does not reach us. We wait for new life, and lo, there is death; and for hope, but we walk in gloom.

Hear then, O house of David!
The Lord will give you a sign.
A young woman shall bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel,
which means “God is with us.”

Advent Chorus

**Christmas Eve/ Christmas**

Mary, a young woman, found favor with God, and received these promises from God:
“You will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. The child will be holy and will be called Son of God.”
Blessed is Mary, mother of Jesus, who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.

My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for us, and holy is God’s name.

God’s mercy is for those who have feared God from generation to generation.

God’s strength has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

Hear then, O house of David!
The Lord has given us a sign.
A young woman shall bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel,
which means “God is with us.”

Advent Chorus

Submitted by Rev. Sharon Mack Temple, Brookmeade UCC, Nashville TN