Advent Worship Litanies
First Sunday in Advent
Say: “We light this candle for God’s creative Word.”
Read:
· John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
· Genesis 1:1-4 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Reflect: God brought order to a world of chaos by speaking the words, “Let there be.” These creating words formed life and light in a void and dark world. Since Creation, God has been offering us light through the power of the spoken word. God is the Word. The power of God’s word transformed the natural world, and this very Word can transform us too. How are you allowing the Word to transform your life?
Respond: “O God who shaped creation at earth’s chaotic dawn, your word of power was spoken, and lo, the dark was gone.”
Pray: “O God our Creator, may your word bring order and light to our lives. Amen.”
Second Sunday in Advent
Say: “We light this candle for the prophetic Word.”
Read: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Reflect: Since the Fall, the world has been in spiritual darkness. Isaiah’s prophetic words speak of a time when we who walk in darkness will see a great light. This is the light of the Messiah, the Wonderful counselor. Through this omniscient counsel, the Messiah will establish a kingdom of justice and righteousness, a kingdom of light. Where in the world do you see the need for godly justice and righteousness to prevail?
Respond: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Pray: “Dear God, during this season, reveal to us any dark areas of our lives. We want to see, through the light of your Word. Amen.”
Third Sunday in Advent
Say: “We light this candle for the Word of salvation.”
Read:
· Luke 1:26-35 (NIV) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
· Matt 1:18-21 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Reflect: God sends word of the Savior’s birth to Mary and Joseph through and angel. Only a Savior can deliver us from the darkness of sin. Only a Savior can speak words of healing and redemption, creating for all humankind a new way of living. And only a Savior can give us the power to speak redeeming words, words of hope, to people we meet. Have you spoken a word of hope to someone today? Have you heard a word of hope?
Respond: “Send your Word, O Lord. We would all be lost in darkness without your guiding light.”
Pray: “O Lord, we are your servants. Help us to speak redeeming words to people we meet. Amen.”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Say: “We light this candle for the Word of preparation.”
Read: Luke 3:2-6 (NIV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”
Reflect: John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ by preaching repentance for sin. As John preaches in the wilderness, he draws tax collectors, soldiers—people from different walks of life. They want to prepare for the Savior, so they ask John, “What must we do?” God uses many voices—pastors, family, neighbors, and whomever God wills—to speak words that prepare us for holy living. Are you listening and preparing?
Respond: “Come, you long-expected Jesus, born to set your people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in you.”
Pray: Dear God, help us to prepare for and welcome your presence in daily life during this Christmas season and beyond. Amen.”
Christmas Day
Say: “We light this candle for the Word becoming flesh.”
Read:
· John 1:14: (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Reflect: Jesus, the long-waited Light of the Word has come. His birth announcement was not presented first to kings or the rich but to lowly shepherds. After seeing the glory of Jesus, the Word in the flesh, the shepherds praised God. As we serve God, we too can share of God’s glory and presence in our lives. Take a moment now to glorify God for sending the Word, the Light of Life, to become flesh so we could know Him as our personal Savior and Lord. Take another moment to offer praise for Jesus, who will return again one day.
Respond: “We want to walk as children of light. We want to follow Jesus.”
Pray: “Lord, thank you for sending the Light of the World. Help us to walk each day in the light of Christ looking forward to your return. Amen.”
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