ADVENT 1 (The Patriarchs)
Reader lights purple candle and says
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, God of
our ancestors,
to you be praise and glory for ever!
You called the patriarchs to live by the light of faith
and to journey in the hope of your promised fulfilment.
May we be obedient to your call
and be ready and watchful to receive your Christ
a lamp to our feet and a light to our path;
for you are our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God for ever.
Leader of service follows with
God of Abraham and Sarah,
and all the patriarchs of old,
you are our Father too.
Your love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Son of David.
Help us in preparing to celebrate his birth
to make our hearts ready for your Holy Spirit
to make his home among us.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who is coming into the world.
We say together:
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
born in David’s city of Bethlehem,
born like him to be a king:
Be born in our hearts this Christmas-tide,
be king of our lives today.
ADVENT 2 (The Prophets)
Reader lights purple candle and says
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and
true,
to you be praise and glory for ever!
Of old you spoke by the mouth of your prophets
but in our days you speak through your Son
whom you have appointed the heir of all things.
Grant us your people to walk in his light
that we may be found ready and watching
when he comes again in glory and judgement;
for you are our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God for ever!
Leader of service follows with
God our Father,
you spoke to the prophets of old
of a Saviour who would bring peace.
You helped them to spread the joyful message
of his coming kingdom.
Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
to share with those around us
the good news of your power and love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who is coming into the world.
We say together:
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
the prophets said you would bring peace
and save your people in trouble:
Give peace in our hearts at Christmas-tide
and show all the world God’s love.
ADVENT 3 (John the Baptist)
Reader lights ROSE candle and says
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and
true,
to you be praise and glory for ever!
Your prophet John the Baptist was witness to the truth
as a burning and shining light.
May we your servants rejoice in his light,
and so be led to witness to him
who is the Lord of our coming Kingdom
Jesus our Saviour and King of the ages.
Blessed be God for ever!
Leader of service follows with
God our Father,
you gave to Zechariah and Elisabeth in their old age
a son called John.
He grew up strong in spirit,
prepared the people for the coming of the Lord,
and baptized them in the Jordan to wash away their sins:
Help us, who have been baptized into Christ,
to be ready to welcome him into our hearts,
and to grow strong in faith by the power of the Spirit.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who is coming into the world.
We say together:
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
John told the people to prepare,
for you were very near:
As Christmas grows closer day by day,
help us to be ready to welcome you now.
ADVENT 4 (Our Lady)
Reader lights purple candle and says
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, merciful
and gentle;
to you be praise and glory for ever!
Your light has shone in our darkened world
through the child-bearing of blessed Mary;
grant that we who have seen your glory
may daily be renewed in your image
and prepared like her for the coming of your Son,
who is the Lord and Saviour of all.
Blessed be God for ever!
Leader of service follows with
God our Father,
the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary
that she was to be the mother of your Son.
Though Mary was afraid,
she responded to your call with joy.
Help us, whom you call to serve you,
to share like her in your great work
of bringing to our world your love and healing.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who is coming into the world.
We say together:
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
blessed is Gabriel who brought good news;
blessed is Mary your mother and ours:
Bless your Church preparing for Christmas;
and bless us your children who long for your coming.
CHRISTMAS DAY (Our Lord and Saviour)
Reader lights WHITE candle and says
Blessed are you Sovereign Lord, King of
Peace:
to you be praise and glory for ever!
The new light of your incarnate word,
gives gladness in our sorrow,
and a presence in our isolation.
Fill our lives with your light,
until they overflow with gladness and praise.
Blessed be God for ever!
Leader of service follows with
God our Father,
today the Saviour is born
and those who live in darkness are seeing a great light.
Help us, who greet the birth of Christ with joy,
to live in the light of your Son,
and to share the good news of your love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who has come into the world.
We say together:
Lord Jesus, Light of Light,
you have come among us.
Help us who live by your light,
to shine as lights in your world.
Glory to God in the highest!
Material taken from the Church of England resource book: The Promise of His Glory (1991), Church House Publishing.
As used in the Parishes of Bickleigh & Shaugh Prior, Plymouth