Advent Litany for 8 December 2013

Advent Litany for 8 December 2013

Second 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,

when we see images of what could be,

of a wolf and a lamb living together in peace,

of a little child leading them.

We hear words of love and encouragement

replace words of criticism and prejudice.

It is a time for preparing our hearts,

so we can be ready to receive God’s spirit

of wisdom and understanding.

It is a time to watch, and to listen

for the needs of those around us...

for a child who has no place left to go,

for a family struggling to make ends meet,

for towns hit by a typhoon.

It is a time to trust that God's promise is for all,

that the one whose birth we anticipate comes not only for us, but for everyone. 

Candle-lighting:

We light this first candle of our Advent wreath,

remembering God's promise of peace for all.

We light this second candle of our Advent wreath,

looking ahead to the days that are coming.

And as we do, we wonder...

What do we wait for?

What is our hope?

How will the Christ child come to us?

How do we share God’s message with all?

What would it mean if the earth were full of the knowledge of God?

Will we recognize the Christ child in our lives?

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