Windows into Advent - Day Eight

Reflection

One way of entering into the Advent Season is using the themes given for the four Sundays of Advent - the traditional Themes are

Week One - The Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Hebrew Faith

Week Two - The Prophets

Week Three - The Forerunner, John the Baptizer

Week Four - Mary, the Mother of Jesus

At St John the Divine we use these themes as the basis of our prayers as we light the Advent Candle for the week at the start of each Sunday Service. The prayers, that were written here a few years ago and have been amended since, have the same shape every week, but a slight variation at the end of each prayer which reflects the theme. Here are the prayers we use, but with the four themes one after the other at the end. 

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Minister:     Blessed are you, loving God, creator of the Universe,

All:     For you have made all things, and love your creation.

Minister:     Gracious God, you have made light and dark, day and night, we give thanks for the wholeness of your life. We remember that in light things are clearer, and in darkness we may learn to trust in you and celebrate your mystery,

All:     For darkness and light are the same to you

As these Advent lights remind us of the light brought to us from our history we pray that we too may be people of light and life,

Week One

You are God through all time – God of our forebears in faith, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Miriam – Patriarchs and Matriarchs of old upon whom our story is founded. May we know you in this time and in this place as the God of now and of always, God of promise, and God of hope.

Week Two

You are God through all time – God of the prophets of old – Prophets like Miriam, Nathan, Deborah, Amos, and Huldah, who declared your truth and justice, and spoke out against the powerful. May we know you in this time and in this place as the God of now and of always, God of promise, and God of hope.

Week Three

You are God through all time – God of the forerunner of the Christ, of John, known as the baptizer, who declared your promises and called people to repentance and transformation. May we know you in this time and in this place as the God of now and of always, God of promise, and God of hope.

Week Four

You are God through all time – God of the faithful bearer of Christ, Mary, whose strength and grace inspires us all, who declared the mighty cast down, and the humble raised up, and who nurtured and guided Jesus, the Christ. May we know you in this time and in this place as the God of now and of always, God of promise, and God of hope.

And the prayers end with

Minister:     Blessed are you, loving God, creator of the Universe.

         All:     For you have made all things, and love your creation.

A more contemporary form uses the four Sundays of Advent to remind us of broader themes within our Scripture Story - Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. There may be a further reflection on these in another posting. With these themes (whichever we choose) we are encouraged to read, reflect, pray in this Advent time to prepare us for the coming celebration of Christmas. May the prayers above help you to enter further into Advent.

Scripture

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’,

Mark Chapter 1, verses 1-3 

More information about the season of Advent can be found here and a webpage exploring Advent Symbols is here