Litany for Third Sunday in Advent 2015 - Year C

Candlelighting Reading for

Dec 13 (3^rd Sunday in Advent):

Leader:

John the Baptist told the crowds who came to be baptized,

“Whoever has two coats must share

with anyone who has none.”

“Whoever has food must do likewise.”

He exhorted tax collectors not to be corrupt,

and soldiers not to cheat or harass people.

In our world today, we think of families without homes,

of children who grow up hungry or malnourished.

We think of the recent revelations of police mistreatment of people of color.

We remember women who feel trapped or powerless against abuse.

We think of politicians corrupted by their power,

of corporations that pillage our environment because of greed.

And we wonder...

What do John’s words mean for us?

What would John the Baptist be saying today?

What can we do to change structures of power?

Where can we most make a difference in the lives of those who hunger or are powerless?

How do we build a world that is fair and just?

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 this third Advent candle today,

Praying for what is right and fair for all in our world.

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

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