From the Silence

Advent Candle Lightings with Year C readings

Each will take place at the beginning of worship, led by a Leader and “Lighters”—two or more people, perhaps a family, at the Advent wreath, who may break up the reading as they wish; someone might light while others read. The bold type is for the congregation to read.

Advent 1

Leader: Let us worship God.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. _{Psalm 124:8}

Lighters: Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas,

to prepare for Christ’s promised coming, long ago and any minute.

As we prepare on this first Sunday of Advent,

we know God is calling us to something new, to face the unknown,

but we have a promise from Jeremiah,

a promise that God made,

(Someone lights the first blue or purple candle while the next part is read)

a promise God made to the families of Israel and Judah.

God has promised a fresh and true shoot, sprouting from the Tree of David,

a new heir to rule the people honestly and fairly,

a new heir to set things right,

a new heir to make God’s people secure.

Jerusalem will live in safety,

and the motto for the city will be “God has set things right for us!”

^{from Jeremiah 33:14-16}

In the light of this first candle,

we face the unknown and remember God’s promise.

Thanks be to God, who keeps every promise to us!

Leader: May the Lord be with your spirit.

Grace be with you.

Advent 2

Leader: Let us worship God.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. _{Psalm 124:8}

Lighters: Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas,

to prepare for Christ’s promised coming, long ago and any minute.

As we prepare on this second Sunday of Advent,

we know God is calling us to something new, and it will be difficult,

but we have a promise from Isaiah,

a promise that God made,

(Someone lights the second blue or purple candle while the next part is read)

a promise of new life where everyone thought it was impossible.

God has promised a new shoot from Jesse’s dead stump,

a new shoot with the Spirit of God,

bringing wisdom and understanding,

giving direction, building strength and knowledge.

This shoot won’t judge by appearances,

but will judge the needy by what is right and the poor with justice.

The wicked will be toppled with a breath,

and righteousness and faithfulness will be built up in the land. _from _{Isaiah 11:1-5}

In the light of this second Advent candle,

we get ready for the hard work of God’s promise.

Thanks be to God, who keeps every promise to us!

Leader: May the Lord be with your spirit.

Grace be with you.

Advent 3

Leader: Let us worship God.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. _{Psalm 124:8}

Lighters: Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas,

to prepare for Christ’s promised coming, long ago and any minute.

As we prepare on this third Sunday of Advent,

we know God is calling us to something new, something unimaginable,

but we have a promise from Zephaniah,

a promise that God made,

(Someone lights the pink candle while the next part is read)

a promise of joy and celebration for God’s people.

God has promised to be present among us, a strong Warrior to save us,

calming us with love and delighting us with songs,

getting rid of enemies,

healing the maimed,

and bringing the homeless home.

We will see all of this with our own eyes:

all our painful partings will be turned into reunions. _{from Zephaniah 3:14, 16-20}

In the light of this third candle,

we rejoice and imagine and remember God’s promise.

Thanks be to God, who keeps every promise to us!

Leader: May the Lord be with your spirit.

Grace be with you.

Advent 4

Leader: Let us worship God.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. _{Psalm 124:8}

Lighters: Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas,

to prepare for Christ’s promised coming, long ago and any minute.

As we prepare on this fourth Sunday of Advent,

We know that God is calling us to something new, something unbelievable,

and we have a promise from Malachi,

a promise that God made,

(Someone lights the final blue or purple candle while the next part is read)

a promise of a messenger with a new covenant, a new leader for us all.

God-of-the-Angel-Armies will suddenly arrive,

like a refiner’s white-hot fire,

like the strongest lye soap in the laundry.

God will purify us until we are fit for God,

just as we were in the years long ago. _{from Malachi 3:1-4}

In the light of this fourth candle,

we prepare to see unbelievable things and remember God’s promise.

Thanks be to God, who keeps every promise to us!

Leader: May the Lord be with your spirit.

Grace be with you.