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www.rca.org/worship/material/advent/adventwreath.php

GATHERING AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH
Readings for Advent and Christmas
by Doug and Kristi Kiel
2002 (Year B)

Advent is a season of penitence, preparation, and anticipation for the Christ who came and will come again. As a child, as a sovereign ruler, Christ comes: God's gift to all people. During Advent we prepare for this sacred celebration in ways both personal and corporate. One of the ways we prepare together is by lighting the candles of the Advent wreath (simple circle of greens), a symbol of eternal promise. As we light the three purple or blue candles and one pink candle (the third Sunday) each Sunday during Advent, our focus is on the increasing crescendo of light as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The white candle, known as the Christ candle, is lit with the other four on Christmas Eve and each of the following twelve days of Christmas to remind us that Jesus has come as the light of the world.

The following readings are presented here as a liturgy for use during the four Sundays of Advent and on Christmas Eve or Day in services of worship as the church gathers around the Advent wreath. The readings are based on the recommended Scripture selections in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B.

These readings are used most effectively following the call to worship. Each week invite one household to come forward to lead the congregation in the readings and to light the appropriate candle(s) for that day. Include households of varying compositions: single parents, blended families, two-parent families, single persons, extended families, and households with special needs persons.

The suggested hymns can be found in Rejoice in the Lord (RJL), Sing! A New Creation (SNC), or Songs for LiFE (SFL).


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THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Come and Make Us New (Based on Isaiah 64:1-9)

Suggested Hymns

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" RJL, #183; SFL, #122
"O Day of God, Draw Nigh" RJL, #178
"Soon and Very Soon" SNC, #106; SFL, #194
"He Came Down" (v. 1) SNC, #92; SFL, #136
"Psalm 80" SNC, #100
"Cambiame, Senor/ Change My Heart, O God" SNC, # 56

Litany
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down to us, Lord.
O that you would shock us with your presence…like fire causes water to boil.
We have become comfortable, and your holiness reminds us of our sinfulness.
As we seek your presence among us, we see that we need to be saved.
All our words and deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We need to be washed clean.
We look to you to mold us.
You are like a potter, and we are like clay.
Out of your great love, you have promised to shape us.
Come and make us new.

Today we light one candle to remind us of our need for a savior.
Come, Lord Jesus, and make us new.

Prayer
Come, Lord, restore us. Our world is in need of a savior. Let your light shine on us, that we may see our sin. Come and dwell with us, that we may be saved--washed clean and made new. Amen.


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THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Come and Speak Your Word to Us (Based on Isaiah 40:1-11)

Suggested Hymns

"Hail to the Lord’s Anointed" RJL, #232
"O Come, O Come, Immanuel" RJL, #184; SFL, #123
"Comfort, Comfort Ye, My People" RJL, #169; SFL, #121
"Prepare the Way of the Lord" SFL, #124
"He Came Down" (vs. 1-2) SNC, #92; SFL, #136
"Lord We Hear Your Word with Gladness" SNC, #89
"Make Way" SNC, #98
"Prepare the Way" SNC, #105

Litany
We listen, Lord, for your words of comfort.
We listen for joyful news of your arrival.
In the wilderness of this world, we have heard voices announcing your coming.
They have reminded us that our lives are like the grasses of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
We hunger for your word, O Lord, because your word gives life.
Your word is salvation--the joy of all humankind.
Come and speak your word to us.

Today we light two candles.
We light the first candle to remind us of our need for a savior.
We light the second candle to remind us of the promises in God’s Word.
Come, Lord Jesus, and speak your word to us.

Prayer
Come, Lord, and speak to your people. Your word is life to us, and your promises are true. Prepare our hearts and our world to hear your voice and to see your glory. Amen.


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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Come and Bring Your Justice (Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11)

Suggested Hymns

"The Voice of God Goes Out to All the World" RJL, #171
"O Zion Haste, Thy Mission High Fulfilling" RJL, #421
"People in Darkness Are Looking for Light" SFL, #119
"He Came Down" (vs. 1-3) SNC, #92; SFL, #136
"Toda la tierra/ All Earth Is Waiting" SNC, #93
"God of Justice Ever Flowing" SNC, #101
"Song of Mary/My Soul Proclaims with Wonder" SNC, #102

Litany
We wait for you to come, Lord, and set things right.
In this world where a few of us are wealthy, many are poor.
While a few are powerful, many are oppressed.
But your justice is good news to those who are held down.
When you arrive, the world will be set right. There will be enough for everyone, and everyone will receive a fair share.
There will be peace on earth and an end to oppression.
We will trade our dark clothes of mourning for bright garments of praise.
Just as healthy plants spring up from good seeds, righteousness will spring up from all the nations.
This is good news!
Come, Lord Jesus, and bring your justice.

Today we light three candles.
The first reminds us of our need for a savior.
The second reminds us of the promises in God’s Word.
We light the third candle to remind us that the Messiah will bring justice and peace.
Come, Lord Jesus, and bring your justice.

Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, to a world where many are hurting. Come and save those who are the victims of violence, poverty, hatred, and oppression. Set things right. When we are guilty of injustice or we do not help those in need, show us our wrong and guide us in the right way. Bring your justice and peace. Amen.


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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Come and Let Your Kingdom Reign (Based on Luke 1:47-55)

Suggested Hymns

"Savior of the Nations, Come" RJL, #189
"Tell Out, My Soul" RJL, #182
"Once in Royal David’s City" RJL, #201
"He Came Down" (vs. 1-4) SNC, #92; SFL, #136
"Soon and Very Soon" SNC, # 106
"Make Way" SNC, #98
"Song of Mary/ My Soul Proclaims with Wonder" SNC, #102

Litany
In you, O Lord, our spirits are filled with joy and our souls find hope.
The world you created is broken and in need of a righteous king.
The people you created in your image are tainted and scattered.
From generation to generation you have shown us your faithfulness.
You have always kept your promises and even now your promised kingdom is being born.
Come, Lord, and look upon us with your favor.
May your kingdom burst forth through us.
Come, Lord, and let your kingdom reign.

Today we light four candles.
The first reminds us of our need for a savior.
The second reminds us of the promises in God’s Word.
The third reminds us that the Messiah will bring justice and peace.
We light the forth candle in the hope of the reign of God.
Come, Lord Jesus, and let your kingdom reign.

Prayer
Come, Lord, and bring your kingdom to your world. We see glimpses of what has already begun, and we wait with hope for what is yet to come. We long for the time when you will reign and all your promises are fulfilled. Amen.


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CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY
Come and Let Us Adore Him (Based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

Suggested Hymns

"O Come, All Ye Faithful" RJL, #195
"Christians Awake!" RJL, #197
"Good News" SFL, #132
"Go, Tell It on the Mountain" RJL, #224; SFL, #131
"Ososo / Come Now O Prince of Peace" SNC, #209
"Psalm 98: Sing a New Song to the Lord" SNC, #112

Litany
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined.
For a child has been born to us.
He is our Wonderful Counselor. In him the world has a savior.
He is our Mighty God. His word is filled with life, power, and truth.
He is our Everlasting Father. He brings his justice to set things right.
He is our Prince of Peace. He shall reign forever and ever.
Before him all nations will rejoice.
For a Son has been given for us.
Come and let us adore him.

We light four candles:
The first reminds us of our need for a savior.
The second reminds us of the promises in God’s Word.
The third reminds us that the Messiah will bring justice and peace.
The fourth reminds us of our hope for the reign of God.
Today we light the Christ candle. We celebrate the birth of our savior. He is the light of the world. May his light shine upon us and within us and through us.
Come and let us adore him.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we rejoice that in your love you came down to live among us and to save us. You are the light of the world that dispels our darkness. Be born in us. Let your light shine in us. And may we be your lights to the world. Amen.

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