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 A Weekly Advent DevotionalAdapted for home use from the Open Files of:NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833 1153 Contributed by:Rev. Gary Hedding, Faith Lutheran, Marshfield WI 1st Sunday in Advent All sing or recite: Verse 1 of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Reader 1: The first candle we light today reminds us that Christ is "Emmanuel"; which means "God with us". We praise God that through Christ he is with us; and we anticipate that, in his return, Christ will bring God's presence to us in a powerful and glorious way, which we can not even imagine. Reader 2:(The first purple candle is lit as the text is read) Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and will bear a son and will name him Emmanuel" All: "O Emmanuel, our King and our Lord, the anointed of all nations and our savior for whom we wait. Come, now and save us." All sing or recite: The first verse is sung again. 2nd Sunday in Advent All sing or recite: Verse 2 of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Reader 1: The second candle we light today reminds us that God is "Great Lord of might". His Word was given to Israel at Mt. Sinai to establish a covenant with people. That covenant called for our faithfulness in response to God's rescue from slavery in Egypt. Christ Jesus is Great Lord of might, his Word created us and calls us into a new relationship with God through the Cross and empty Tomb. We are called to faithfulness in response to this great act of grace and mercy. Reader 2: (The first and second purple candles are lit as the text is read): Isaiah 11:6 "He shall judge between nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." All: "O King of all nations and ruler for whom we long, the corner stone who unites all people in peace. Come and save us, for you made us out of clay." All sing or recite: The first verse is sung. 3rd Sunday in Advent All sing or recite: Verse 4 of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Reader 1: The third candle we light today reminds us that God is our "Dayspring". The word "Dayspring" brings to mind the sun leaping into the sky; light pushing darkness over the horizon; Jesus coming again in power to put an end to sin, death and the power of the devil. This candle reminds us of the joy of Christ coming at the end of the age and the joy of Christ coming into our lives now. Reader 2: (Light two purple candles and the pink candle as the text is read): Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. All: "O Dayspring, fountain of living water; your brilliance lights the way for all who look to you." All sing or recite: The first verse is sung. 4th Sunday in Advent All sing or recite:Verse 5 of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Reader 1: The fourth candle we light today reminds us that Jesus is the "Key of David". Jesus opens the door to the rule of God that David symbolized. It is a rule of justice, grace, freedom and forgiveness for which we long. Under God's rule we grow to be the best we could ever be, we experience joy and peace, and we strive to be witnesses of this coming kingdom. The four candles express our eagerness for the Key of David to come. Reader 2: (The four advent candles are lit as the text is read): Isaiah 11:6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. All: "O Key of David, ruler of the house of Israel; you give hope to the oppressed and bring justice to the poor and humble." All sing or recite: The first verse is sung. �Copyright 2000 by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center. NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center From the Open Files of:NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833 1153 Contributed by:Rev. Gary Hedding, Faith Lutheran, Marshfield WI used with kind permission |
 The Advent Wreath The Advent Wreath had its beginings in medieval Germany. The circle of the wreath reminds us that God is eternal and has no beginning and no end. The greens represent our new life in Christ through our Baptism. The red berries represent the drops of blood that Christ shed for us on the cross. The candles signify that Christ is the Light. Advent Themes First Week Hope It represents the Hope we have for eternal life through our Baptism Second Week Peace It symbolizes Peace which can only be found in Christ Third Week Joy This signifies Christ's Joywhich we receive when we serve others. Fourth Week Love Which reminds us of the infinite Love Christ has for each of us and which we should share with everyone.  The O' Antiphons The O' Antiphons are traditionally recited during vespers by the monks from December 17th until December 23rd. There are seven of them. Dec. 17 O'Sapientia O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, come, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen Dec. 18 O' Adonai O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai, come, and redeem us with outstretched arms. Dec. 19 O' Radix Jesse O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication, come, to deliver us, and tarry not. Dec. 20 O' Clavis David O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens, come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. Dec. 21 O' Oriens O Dawn of the East, brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Dec. 22 O' Rex O' King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one, come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. December 23 O' Emmanuel O' Emmanuel, God with us, Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour, come to save us, O Lord our God. |
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