Monday, December 21, 2015

Litany for Fourth Sunday in Advent 2015

Candlelighting Reading for
Dec 20 (4th Sunday in Advent):
Leader:
This is the season of Joy.
We remember the joy Elizabeth felt when she heard Mary’s greeting:
Her child leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary, too, is filled with joy, saying,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God!”

Even in difficult times, we can find reasons for joy.
We see the first green leaves to appear after a time of drought,
We hear a bird chirping in the crisp morning air.
We know people who, even in their own times of trial,
reach out to others with love and caring.

And we wonder...
How do we listen, especially during these dark days, for God’s word?
How can we open our heavy hearts to the joy of Christmas?
What do we do to share that joy with others?
Can we simply allow ourselves to shout out, “Glory be to God!”

We light the first Advent candle,
Remembering our hope for justice and peace for our world.
We light the second Advent candle,
Wishing for freedom from fear for all God’s people.
We light the third Advent candle,
Praying for what is right and fair for all in our world.
We light this fourth Advent candle today,
Opening our hearts to receive the joy of Christmas.

One: In hope, we anticipate the One who is to be born, and together we pray.
All: Come, Emmanuel, Come!
                                Litany by K. K. Hudson-Bates

No comments:

Post a Comment