Advent Candle Readings, 2007 (Weeks 1 and 2)

I volunteered to prepare the advent candle readings we used in 2007. I didn't find anything that I particularly liked, but there were some that were close. I took the readings from "Social Justice Readings for the Advent Candles" (this is a Microsoft Word document) as a starting point. Here's the end point for the first two weeks (I'll add the later weeks separately):

Week 1: The Incarnation in Our Lives: Hope for a Troubled Land

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.”

– Isaiah 9:2

As we enter this season of Advent, let us remember the condition of the Jewish people 2000 years ago. The Romans had conquered Palestine and subjected the inhabitants to a set of foreign and often brutal rules. The conquerors did not respect, nor even understand, the Jewish religion and customs. In the midst of this turmoil, a child came, born in a dingy, dirty stable. Out of those humble beginnings, a savior was born.

Because of that child we believe that love is stronger than fear, peace more enduring than hate, and that darkness will never put out the light. Because of that child, we dare to pray that apathy and despair will end. We are a people of hope, and light this first candle as a reminder of that hope.

Let us pray:

Lord as we look to the birth of Jesus, grant that the light of your love for us will help us to become lights in the lives of those around us. Prepare our hearts for the joy and gladness of your coming, for Jesus is our hope. Amen.

Week 2: The Incarnation in Our Lives: Love for the Unloved

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

– Deuteronomy 10:17-19a

Today we light the candle of love – no other word so adequately captures the spirit and goal of our faith. No other word so completely describes what we know of our God. We pray for hearts large enough to embrace the outcasts; hearts large enough to love those who are different from ourselves; and hearts large enough for us to love those whose glories we fail to see.

God came to us as love incarnate. As we prepare to celebrate God’s love embodied in Jesus, we light the candles of love and hope. Let us give thanks for God’s pervasive and enduring love this advent season.

Let us pray:

Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ's footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus' birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.