Advent Liturgy 2023
Week 1 (Hope)
Scripture PASSAGE: Luke 1:26-38
Leader:
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.
God of Hope,
We have seen your promises fulfilled through Mary and Joseph,
Promises to the house of Israel that a righteous Branch would spring up from David,
And that He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Through Christ, we have seen your faithfulness and strength.
Through the Holy Spirit, we experience your trustworthiness and goodness.
We ask today that we would be filled with your hope.
Let us Pray:
(All)
Faithful God,
You alone bring life,
and bring the hope of life into any darkness.
Call to our minds your faithfulness to us,
And strengthen our faith,
That we may look forward
To the hope of Christ’s return,
And the hope of life with You now.
God of promise, God of hope,
Into our darkness we invite your light.
Week 2 (Peace)
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Luke 1:39-45
Leader:
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.
God of Peace,
We have seen your promises fulfilled through Mary and Joseph,
That the Branch of David would bring peace;
That the wolf and lamb,
The calf and lion,
The cow and bear,
Would all lie down together and not destroy one another.
Through Christ, we have seen the Prince of Peace.
Through the Holy Spirit, we bear the spiritual fruit of peace.
We ask today that we would be filled with your peace.
Let us Pray:
(All)
Faithful God,
You alone bring life,
and bring the hope of life into any darkness.
Bring calm to our minds and bodies,
And remind us of your presence with us,
That we may walk together with you
And be beacons of Christ’s peaceful nature in this world,
Looking forward to the perfect peace that will come when all creation is restored.
God of hope, God of peace,
Into our darkness we invite your light.
Week 3 (Joy)
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Luke 1:46-56
Leader:
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.
God of Joy,
We have seen your promises fulfilled through Mary and Joseph,
That the people would be glad;
We rejoice in the gift of life with You.
Through Christ, we have been given the joy of salvation.
Through the Holy Spirit, we experience the spiritual fruit of joy.
We ask today that we would be filled with your joy.
Let us Pray:
(All)
Faithful God,
You alone bring life,
and bring the hope of life into any darkness.
Bring joy to our hearts,
Filling us with gratitude for the gift of life itself,
And the gift of life redeemed through Jesus,
That we may look forward
To the joy of Christ’s glorious return,
And the joy of life knowing You now.
God of hope, God of peace,
Into our darkness we invite your light.
Week 4 (Love)
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: LUKE 2:1-21
Leader:
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.
God of Love,
We have seen your promises fulfilled through Mary and Joseph,
That you will show Your love to Israel,
And your faithfulness to Your people.
Through Christ, we have been shown perfect love.
Through the Holy Spirit, we experience love for our neighbor and love for You.
We ask today that we would be filled with your love.
Let us Pray:
(All)
Faithful God,
You alone bring life,
and bring the hope of life into any darkness.
Fill us with love,
That we may carry your love into the world,
And that we would be known by our love,
That You would be glorified.
God of hope, God of peace,
Into our darkness we invite your love.