Advent Candle Lighting Litanies From The Book of Ruth
(This litany was written by the pastoral staff at Knox, and is available for any congregation that would like to use it - no attribution or credit needed.)
Week 1: Hope
Leader: In a world darkened by pain and suffering, injustice and need, today we light this simple candle as a testimony to our advent hope:
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Like Naomi and Ruth, our mothers in the faith, fill us with persevering hope as we anticipate your coming, O Lord.
All: God of hope, shine your light into our hearts and world. Amen.
Week 2: Peace
Leader: Waiting is hard. We want the stoplight to change quickly, the grocery line to move fast, and Christmas morning to arrive soon. We wonder, in our chaotic world, “Will there be enough time … energy … resource for all that is needed?" Today we light the candle of peace, praying:
People: Be near, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Lord, you have always provided for your people. Help us to trust you as Naomi and Ruth did, even when it is hard.
All: God of peace, settle our hearts that we may share your peace with others. Amen.
Week 3: Joy
Leader: In these days when happiness masquerades as wish lists and stocking stuffers, we remember that true joy is only found in Jesus Christ. As we light the candle of joy, we proclaim the good news that Jesus’ birth brings to us and to all people of the world:
People: Hallelujah! God is with us!
Leader: Light up our hearts once again, Lord, with the joy of our salvation.
All: God of delight, let your joy shine bright in us for all the world to see. Amen.
Week 4: Love
Leader: Out of darkness, light shines, pointing us to the One whose love overcame the darkness of this world, whose love will be our light in the world to come. Today, our advent light grows as we light the fourth candle of love, praying:
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Lord, you showed your great love for us in sending the gift of the Christ child. We love because you first loved us.
All: God of love, make us more like You, that the world may know the love of Christ. Amen.
Christmas Eve: Christ Candle
Leader: In the midst of our darkened world, in a backwoods nowhere town, to a couple of scared first-time parents, on a bed of animal feed, Christ came. On Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle as a sign of God’s unshakeable promise:
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Leader: O Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace … Jesus. Fill us with the light of your life, we pray,
All: That we may bear your light to our waiting world. Amen.
Christmas Day: Christ Candle
Leader: In the midst of our darkened world, in a backwoods nowhere town, to a couple of scared first-time parents, on a bed of animal feed, Jesus came. On Christmas Day, we light the Christ candle as a sign of God’s unshakeable promise:
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Leader: O Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace … Jesus. Fill us with the light of your life, we pray,
All: That we may bear your light to our waiting world. Amen.