A Simple Advent Candle Litany For Families and Churches
This litany, short and simple enough for a child to lead, was written by Knox pastors and is available for anyone who would like to use it. No attribution is needed.
Week 1 - Hope & Fear
Leader: During cold days and long nights, we wait for the coming of hope.
People: Hope for a kingdom of justice and peace, hope for life to the full, like the hope that drove The Magi to seek it.
Leader: Hope is offered to us again this day in the message of the Law, in the teaching of the prophets.
People: Hope is revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
(the candle of hope is lit)
Leader: Let us pray:
People: Light of the world, hope of the nations, be in our lives, and in our hearts, and may our hope in you bring hope to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Week 2 - Peace in Uncertainty
Leader: During cold days and long nights, we wait for the coming of peace.
People: Peace between siblings, peace among the nations, peace for all creation.
Leader: Peace is found wherever God’s rule and God’s reign is brought into the world, no wonder Simeon praised and Anna proclaimed it when they saw Him arrive.
People: Peace will come with Jesus, our Prince of Peace.
(the candle of peace is lit)
Leader: Let us pray:
People: Light of the world, great prince of peace, be in our lives, and in our hearts, that we might be ambassadors of your peace in a world of strife. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Week 3 - Joy & Surprise
Leader: During cold days and long nights, we wait for the coming of joy.
People: Joy in knowing you work in us, and through us; joy in seeing the fruit of our labours; Joy when our prayers are answered, joy when the unasked prayers like those of Elizabeth and Zechariah are heard.
Leader: Joy that is deeper than cheer, longer lasting than happiness.
People: Joy will be shared with all people when Christ comes to us again.
(the candle of joy is lit)
Leader: Let us pray:
People: Light of the world, giver of all joy, be in our lives, and in our hearts, may we celebrate all the ways you are God with us, this day and all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Week 4 - Love Beyond Reason
Leader: During cold days and long nights, we wait for the coming of love.
People: Love that binds all creation together, love that God made us to know.
Leader: God is love, and and he so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, and in that love He allowed Mary and Joseph to be carriers of Love.
People: In Jesus Christ, God’s gift of love can be known.
(the candle of love is lit)
Leader: Let us pray:
People: Light of the world, God who is love, be in our lives, and in our hearts, show us your unfailing love, and lead us to love our neighbours as ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Christmas Eve - Christ Candle
Leader: During cold days and long nights, we long to know your presence, Lord Christ.
People: Be with us and bind our broken hearts, release us from our darkness.
Leader: Jesus said: Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.
People: Jesus Christ is our Immanuel: God with us.
(the Christ candle is lit)
Leader: Let us pray:
People: Light of the world, God who is with us, be in our lives, and in our hearts, fill us with your Spirit, that we may bring your light to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.