Faith & Worship Faith & Worship

Advent - God's People


Liturgies for Advent

Depending upon the tradition to which you belong, the shape of Advent services might follow a similar route year by year or, with liturgical series such as that used by the Anglican Church, follow a three year cycle of readings.

The themes most often used for the four weeks of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love; or God's people, the Old Testament Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. However, the choice of themes is not limited to the usual or comfortable, and with a little forward planning there are many ways in which the approach to Christmas can be tackled imaginatively, and bring out different truths about God's amazing love and Grace.

For some suggestions for Advent themes, both traditional and more contemporary (or unusual!) and a full list of current liturgies and prayers
Click Here

Short liturgies often form part of the beginning of a service whilst one of the Advent candles are lit, and the following liturgy is written with that end in mind, although could be used at any point within a time of worship

The Advent liturgy below is on the theme of Angels.

 

Angels

(Responses are in bold type)

And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. (Luke 1: 10,11)

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When all seems well
With us and with the world
When our yoke is easy
And the burden light
You break in
And scatter our complacency

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When we are comfortable
And at our ease
When the fire is lit
But eyes are closed
You break in
And challenge our dependency

You break into
Our daily prayers
Humble hearts
Lay souls bare
You break in
You break in

You break in
When defences are down
With an Angel's shout
Or the quietest sound
You break in
You break in

And we change
And all things change
When you break in

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1.38)

In the ordinary moments of our lives
When thoughts, distractions
And busyness might keep us apart
Open our hearts to let you in

When you stand before us
As angel or stranger and speak to us
In the hearing and understanding of your word
Open our hearts in obedience to your will

Advent God, you enter time and lives
And transform both
To the glory of your name
And the benefit of all people
On this particular day
We praise your name
For Angel voices
And obedient hearts.
Amen

 

For main Advent Resource page Click Here


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