Celtic Advent Liturgy

 



















Can be done on advent Sundays or at community gatherings during advent

Opening Responses
Reader:
We are a people waiting in darkness

ALL:
LORD OPEN OUR EYES TO THE COMING OF YOUR LIGHT. EMMANUEL GOD WITH US LIFTING THE BURDEN OF DARKNESS FROM OUR LIVES.

Reader:
We are a people who's hearts are chilled by sin and selfishness

ALL:
LORD OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE WARMTH OF YOUR COMING. EMMANUEL GOD WITH US MELT THE HARDNESS THAT KEEPS US FROM LOVING YOU AND EACH OTHER.

Reader:
We are a people branches, stems crumpled under weight of frost - last year’s leaves - blackened and slippery underfoot -gripped in winters death, yet awaiting rebirth.

ALL:
LORD OPEN OUR HEARTS TO EMMANUEL GOD WITH US, RENEW IN OUR HEARTS YOUR CALL TO NEW LIFE.

Scripture Reading: usually from the Gospel / or a Messianic promise

Musical Response:

Celtic Litany of Praise:


Reader:
Gathering in this place where heaven and earth whisper greeting; In this place where the High King of Heaven comes to meet us; We await the coming Hope. We join our faith with the Host of Saints who have gone before us, and we rejoice.

ALL: O COME O COME EMMANUEL
AND RANSOM CAPTIVE ISREAL
THAT MOURNS IN LONLEY EXILE HERE
UNTIL THE SON OF GOD APPEARS


At this point, we are invited to speak the Name(s) of the coming Emmanuel and light candles of Advent Hope. (eg. Prince of Peace; Rose of Sharon; etc.)

Silence
(During the Silence, you may like to read and reflect on the words of the song, gaze at the candles - or simply enjoy the peace and calm of the Prayer.)

Intercessions (each prayer can be recieved by the community by repeating : "Lord Hear our Prayer" or "Through our lives and prayers thy Kingdom come"
Song / Hymn

Closing Responses

Reader:

We take the light of our prayer into the world

ALL:

TO PRAY FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PRAY; TO OFFER OURSELVES AS ANSWERS TO PRAYER.

Reader:

We take the light of your compassion into the world;

ALL:

TO COME ALONGSIDE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED AND SUFFERING. MAY WE BE AS CHRIST FOR THEM.

Reader

We take the light of God's power into the world;

ALL:

GOD'S STRENGTH MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.

Reader:

God enters the world as a tiny babe, takes on a frame of flesh, Emmanuel God with us- That we might see the love of the Father through the Son, The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, dying that we might live, leading that we may follow.

ALL:

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Reader

Until we gather again in the presence of the Sacred Three in One

ALL

MAY WE BE HELD FIRM IN THE GRIP OF GRACE.

AMEN

Closing Song

compiled from various sources



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