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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

 

 

God's People

(Responses are in bold type)

‘Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry…’

(Isaiah 64:1-5)

Your people
A particular people
Chosen and cherished
From the beginning of time
Lavished and loved
Sheltered and shepherded
Through sunshine and storm
Restore us O Lord
Make your face shine upon us
That we might be saved

Your children
Prodigal children
Wandering far from home
A wilderness people
Yet never forgotten
Never separated
From the warmth of your love
Restore us O Lord
Make your face shine upon us
That we might be saved

‘How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away…’

(Isaiah 64:6)

Since the Garden
Those fateful words
'Did God really say..?'
We have been swayed
By every breeze
Persuaded
By every thought
Deflected
From the path
And now we stand
Your people
Chosen to bring you glory
Yet choosing to cause you pain

‘Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, O Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.'

(Isaiah 64:8,9)

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
Therefore you are feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in his word I put my hope.

(Psalm 130: 3-5 )

For the people you chose
And the people you choose
We give you thanks
Ordinary people, yet a blessed people
A sinful people, yet a forgiven people
A hopeful people
A joyful people
Your people
We give you thanks

 

For main Advent Resource page Click Here

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