Advent Litany for 15 December 2013

Advent Litany for 15 December 2013

Third Sunday in Advent

(Read by leader)

Opening:

Advent is a time of anticipation, of waiting –

of making space in our lives to receive the one who comes.

It is a season of hope,

It is a time when waters will break out in the wilderness,

and the desert will blossom;

A time when we begin to see our path,

and we know we will no longer be lost in our wilderness.

It is a time for preparing our hearts,

that our spirits might rejoice in God's presence among us.

It is a time to watch, and to listen

and see God's hand in our world,

as the eyes of the blind are opened,

the ears of the deaf hear,

the lame leap like a deer,

the hungry are filled with good things to eat,

and the dry land shall bloom like a crocus.

Lighting of the candle:

We light the first candle of our Advent wreath,

remembering God's promise of peace for all.

We light the second candle of our Advent wreath,

remembering that Christmas is indeed for everyone.

We light this third candle today,

looking ahead to the days that are coming.

And as we do, we wonder...

What do we wait for?

What is our hope?

What path will we take?

Which way would God have us go?

And so,

we quiet our hearts to hear.

We try and stay awake to see.

We wait, and we wonder.

Congregational response:

One: Together we quiet our hearts and we pray:

All: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

            --Advent Litany by K.K. Hudson-Bates