A home liturgy for week 1 of Advent
This year during our worship services at The Table we will be lighting all 4 advent candles plus the Christ candle each week. The candles symbolize the way we are able to see Christ even as we wait for full understanding of God’s mystery. Traditionally the 4 candles represent hope, peace, love, and joy, coming together in Jesus on Earth. As we search for sign and message through the Scriptures of Advent, may the hope, peace, love, and joy of God come to light.
As you reflect on the following worship guide, you may also wish to light candles.
(STS 15 Hope is a Candle)
STS 7 – Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Psalm 25: 4-5
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
Teach me in your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
For you I wait all day long.
HWB 172 – O Come, o come Emmanuel… Rejoice, rejoice!
Luke 21: 25 – 27
Jesus said: There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among the nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the power of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.
The language we typically use during advent is full of optimism and celebration. We look forward to the coming of Jesus into the world – our world. But the language Jesus uses in this passage doesn’t make this coming sound very joyful. How is it that we can look forward in expectation to this scene?
Because we have a God who is in covenant with the created. We have a God that continues to instruct us in his paths. And we have a community of believers to wait with.
Jer 33: 14-16
The says are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promises I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called; “The LORD is our righteousness.”
Luke 21: 28
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Psalm 25: 6-7
Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
Our hope is in the righteousness of Jesus, and that we are also able to practice righteous living.
Our love is in God who instructs the sinner and the humble, leading us along a path of steadfast love.
Our peace is in the One who executes justice and righteousness.
Our joy is in the community of believers and the promise of redemption.
Psalm 25: 8-10
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
1 Thes 3: 13
May God so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Angie Clemens is a music teacher and a primary worship leader at The Table.