(This is a reading I've worked on for Advent this year. I'd love your thoughts, feedback, etc...Also, feel free to use it if you need to; let me know though. I'm curious. Also, with the top section, each of the ideas of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love correspond to different days of Advent- on the day we look at Hope, we'd only read the Hope line, etc...)
Leader:
Hope: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God
Joy: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!
Peace: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father
Love: Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Congregation: For the Word became flesh and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Leader: Yes: Jesus Christ, Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the light of the World, has come. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Congregation: The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom should I be afraid? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom then should I fear?
Leader: For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
So wait on the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage, and wait on the Lord. Jesus is coming soon!
Congregation: Amen! Jesus, come quickly!
thanks for posting this reading! I'm a new pastor and this is my first advent in this position and I've been struggling to prepare worship time focused on advent, not Christmas. If it's okay with you, I'd love to use it for our service this week.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 02, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I would also like to use this reading.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Sally | December 05, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Sally, Stephanie--feel free. It's been received well in the context i'm in.
Let me know how it goes...
Posted by: Drew Causey | December 07, 2009 at 10:12 AM