Advent 2019

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Advent
Active Waiting
Advent Schedule
First Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Eve
Advent Daily Prayers
Christmas Eve Prayers
Songs & Creeds of Advent

What is Advent?

 Definition

 

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”   It is the time of year when the church anticipates 2 things: the coming holiday in celebration of our King’s first arrival as a baby AND the still-to-come final arrival of that same King as the One Victorious over sin and death.

History & Significance

  Advent has been observed by the Church since the 4th century. It marks the first day of the Christian New Year. Historically it has been observed as a time of preparation and anticipation. Similar to the 6-week Lenten journey Resurrection, Advent is a 4-week journey to Christmas spent reflecting on the reality of Christ’s first coming in order to strengthen our hope in His return (Second Advent).

 

Active Waiting

No one likes to wait. This is especially true for those surrounded by modern conveniences. Yet, as Christians, God in his grace has placed us in a time of waiting for him to fulfill the redemption he began with the sending of his Son.

“We remember in Advent, the time of waiting before the birth of Jesus.     And we remember that time of waiting… as a time when people were waiting, indeed longing for something that would change everything and at the same time not quite knowing what that something would be. During Advent, Christians go back to that time of waiting.”                                                                                         –Rowan Williams

The season of Advent has traditionally been referred to as a time of cultivating the virtue of active waiting. But how do we do this?

First by remembering. During the season of Advent, we intentionally remember the past fulfillment of God’s promises. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised to send a deliverer to rescue his people. For this promise, his people waited and waited and waited. With the humble advent of Jesus, His Son, God kept his promise. For in Jesus we have been delivered from our sin, the power of the devil and the reign of darkness. It is this past advent upon which our lives are now built and out of which we currently live.

But Advent isn’t simply about remembering, it is also about looking forward. For the same Jesus who came in humility, will come again (Second Advent) in glory to bring about the full realization of his redemption. It is this future upon which we set our hope. For one day we will see Jesus face to face and all will be as it should be – new and right.

Remembering and looking forward: only when these two are held together, can we learn to live thankfully and hopefully in the present with our lives focused on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. The prayers and Scripture readings in this booklet are intended to help us as we cultivate the grace of waiting.

 

Advent Schedule 

First Sunday of Advent
       December 1

Advent Prayer Services: 6:00 p.m.

  • 12/1 –   Memorial
  • 12/8 –   Prayer
  • 12/15 – Lessons and Carols

Feast Day of St. Nicholas*
       December 6th

Second Sunday of Advent
       December 8th

Third Sunday of Advent
       December 15th

Fourth Sunday of Advent
       December 22nd

Christmas Eve
       6:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service

*The Feast Day of St. Nicholas is a day to remember the example of generosity set for The Church by Nicholas of Myra, a bishop in the 300’s. He used the inheritance received from his parents’ death to give to the poor and needy. Traditionally, children leave shoes by their beds and, in the morning, find a few needed things such as pencils or small school supplies along with chocolate coins in them the morning. This is celebrated on the 6th because it is the day Nicholas died.    

First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2019

 Scripture Readings:

  • Isaiah 2:1-5
  • Psalm 122:1-9
  • Romans 13:11-14
  • Matthew 24:36-44

Prophecy Candle: The prophecy candle reminds us that the promise of Christ’s coming was prophesied many years before his birth most notably in Isaiah. It also reminds us to look forward to His Second Advent which will bring the full realization of those promises. The candle is purple to represent Christ’s royalty as King of Kings.

Prayer: Stir up your power, O Lord and come, that by your mighty hand we may be rescued from the dangers that threaten due to the brokenness of the world. But also that we may be delivered from the dangers that threaten to undo us from the inside because of the darkness of our hearts. Shine your light in the darkness that the darkness may not overcome it.  

Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2019

Scripture Readings:

  • Isaiah 11:1-10
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
  • Romans 15:4-13
  • Matthew 3:1-12

Bethlehem Candle: The Bethlehem candle reminds us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem – a city too small to be named among the clans of Judah – but that from tiny Bethlehem came the humble, servant King, born in a manger because there was no room in the inn. The candle is purple to remind us that it was a King who was born in a lowly manger. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came in humility to save us from our sins. In light of your humility, help us to live humbly and gratefully as we seek to honor you. Just as your light shone in tiny Bethlehem, send your light now to overcome the darkness of our pride. 

Third Sunday of Advent

December 15, 2019

Scripture Readings:

  • Isaiah 35:1-10
  • Psalm 146:5-10
  • James 5:7-10
  • Matthew 11:2-11

Shepherds’ Candle: The Shepherds’ candle reminds us that the first announcement of Christ’s birth was made to humble, ordinary men. The announcement made was “good tidings of great joy!” The candle is pink to remind us of God’s love and faithfulness.

Prayer: Father, you have delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of your beloved Son. In light of this, fill us with joy and gratitude that we may be bold to declare this deliverance that shines into dark places.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2019

Scripture Readings:

  • Isaiah 7:10-16
  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
  • Romans 1:1-7
  • Matthew 1:18-25

Angels’ Candle: The Angels’ candle reminds us that hosts of heaven proclaimed Jesus’ arrival, an arrival that has brought peace on earth. The candle is purple representing the royal announcement of a Kingly birth.

Prayer: During this Advent season we cast our anxieties upon you trusting that your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus who is the light shining in the darkness and cannot be overcome.

Christmas Eve Service

Scripture Readings:

  • Isaiah 62:6-12
  • Psalm 97:1-12
  • Titus 3:4-7
  • Luke 2:1-20

Christ Candle: The Christ candle is the climax of the advent wreath signaling the coming of Christ, the pure and spotless lamb come to save his people from their sin. The candle is white representing the purity of Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came, lived, and died that in you we might be forgiven of our sin and enabled to walk in your light which shines in the darkness. Purify us that we may walk in this light that cannot be overcome. 

Daily Prayers

Leader: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 

All:       Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Leader: O Heavenly Spirit of Truth, our Comforter, Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our lives, O Gracious Lord.

All Sing: “The Gloria”

All:       Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!!

Morning Scripture Memory: Psalm 3:5
Evening Scripture Memory: Psalm 4:8

All:       The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Readings:

Sundays: Isaiah 9:1-7

Thursdays: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Mondays: Isaiah 11:1-9

Fridays: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tuesdays: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Saturdays: Revelation 21:1-8; 22-20

Wednesdays: Romans 13:8-14

All:      “The Apostles’ Creed”

All Sing: “Come, O Redeemer Come”

All:        Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!!

Christmas Eve Prayers

 

Leader:  In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

All:      Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Leader: O Heavenly Spirit of Truth, our Comforter, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our lives, O Gracious Lord.

All Sing: “The Gloria”

All:         Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!!

Morning Scripture Memory: Psalm 3:5
Evening Scripture Memory: Psalm 4:8

All:        The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7; 8-20

All:       “The Apostles’ Creed”

All Sing: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

All:        Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Come quickly Lord Jesus!!
 

Songs & Creeds of Advent

The Gloria

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Come, O Redeemer Come

Father, enthroned on high, Holy, holy!
Ancient eternal Light, hear our prayer.

REFRAIN
Come, O Redeemer, come;
grant us mercy.
Come, O Redeemer, come;
grant us peace.

Lord, save us from the dark of our striving,
faithless, troubled hearts weighed down. (Refrain)

Look now upon our need; Lord, be with us.
Heal us and make us free from our sin. (Refrain)

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth; and in Jesus Christ, His Only Son Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.