I wrote this liturgy with inspiration from a congregation member of Pueblo descent. When she was talking about light she mentioned her language calls light "the coming" and I thought how appropriate to think about light and the advent "the coming" of Christ.
Each week I feature a different language. The last week is featured a First Nation Tribe that lived on the land in the Atlanta and Georgia area. It was amazing to spend time looking into these words and how it effects their culture and life.
Please share with credit if you can. --Pastor Kristy Ray
ADVENT - LET THERE BE LIGHT
November 28th Light of HOPE Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-14
Reader 1: Advent is a season of waiting, a season of expectation, a season of time to reflect. Pueblo culture calls light “the coming,” light that is not only here but coming. As we light candles to gaze upon we remember Jesus said not only “I am the light of the world.”
People: Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”
Raeder 1: Each week we will learn about words and ways other cultures and languages speak about the words we hear. Today we light the candle that is a symbol of hope. In Hebrew the word for hope is tiqvah (tik-vaw) which literally means line or cord, the thing that we long for.
People: We long for God with us. Emmanuel. Hope and light of the world.
Let there be light!
(Lighting of the Hope Candle)
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Jesus being the cord that binds us to you. Thank you for being the hope that was so longed for throughout time. We hold on to hope, we hope for your coming once more to wipe away our heartaches and tears. We hope for so many things. May we hold our hope in you. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
December 5th Light of PEACE Luke 1: 68-79
Wreath Lighting
Reader: Advent means the coming or arrival of something or someone important. We celebrate Advent as a reminder of the importance of Jesus coming to the earth as a little baby.
Reader 2: A Baby, born of Mary. In a manger.
Reader3: Today we light the candle of peace. In Kenya the language is Swahili, the word for peace is Amani (aa-mah-nee) . It is about calm, tranquility, and peace of mind. The word amani is important in the Kenyan culture to remember to live in peace, unity and freedom with each other. As we light the candle of peace may we be a reminder of not only peace in our hearts but peace with one another, living in unity.
People: Let there be light.
Light the candle of peace.
Prayer:
God of peace and unity. Surround us with your peace. Help us to breathe in your goodness and then take it to the places we go and the people we encounter. May we take this moment to be at peace with ourselves, with one another, and with you. Amen.
December 12th Light of JOY Isaiah 12:2-6
Wreath Lighting
Reader: Advent is a season of preparation. We are preparing a place for Jesus to enter our hearts and our lives. When we prepare we do our best to get ready. If someone comes to visit we prepare our homes to be welcoming and be a place that feels like home. A place to stay a while, to relax, to feel joy.
People: In Advent we are called to prepare a place in our hearts for Jesus.
Reader: Today we light the candle of Joy. In Korean the word is shin, it means many things. God, scene, kidney, and joy. God is our joy, something to be felt in our body as we receive and live out joy in our lights.
People: Let there be light.
Light the candle of joy.
Prayer: God who gives us joy. May we gaze upon this light and remember the joy we have in you. The joy we have in your light, in Jesus being here. May we not only receive your joy but help bring joy to others in this season and beyond. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
December 19th Light of LOVE John 1:1-18
Call to Worship
Wreath Lighting
Reader: Advent is a season that balances remembrance and anticipation. Remembrance of Christ and what Christ has done as Emmanuel “God with us” and anticipation that Christ will come again.
Reader 2: Today we light the candle of love. Through this season we have learned words from other cultures that represent the candles we have lit. Today we will learn the word love from the native speakers of this land, the Creek or Muscogee peoples. The word love is vnokeckv (an-o--get-ska). May we think about love of family, of friends, love that is lost, love that is growing, love that is to come. As we light the candle of love may we remember Christ as our shadow as we light the world with our love.
People; Let there be light.
Light the candle of Love.
Prayer: God of Love and Light. May we remember your love, may we anticipate the love that is to come. Guide us in love to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.
Christmas EVE December 24th LIGHT of the World -Service of Lessons and Carols
Wreath Lighting:
Pastor: We have reflected upon the light as things that guide us to you and each other. As we light the candle of hope may we remember that in the darkness there is hope as darkness brings rest, visions and dreams
People: Let there be light!
Light the candle of hope.
Leader: As we light the candle of peace may we remember that light of peace is about the unity of people who are different in thoughts, culture, ways of life, and thought. In darkness there is also peace, the peace and tranquility of the night that reminds us to rest, to close down our tasks and be present.
People: Let there be light!
Light the candle of peace.
Leader: As we light the candle of joy may we think about the joy it is to be in the presence of new life. Of new birth, of baby coos and generations gathering together. May we anticipate the joy in this season. As we anticipate we remember that God created the light and the dark and called it good.
People: Let there be light!
Light the candle of joy.
Leader: As we light the candle of love may we think about the love we have for you, for one another, for those who we yearn to be around, for those we have yet to know. You are love. You are with us in love. You created us to love. In the dark night there is still love. You cast a shadow of love as you surround us.
People: Let there be light!
Light the candle of love.
Leader: As we light the Christ candle we are now in a season of Christmas. Advent has once again come to a close and we see these lights that come together to circle you. We are people of hope, of peace, of joy, and love. You came to the world to show us the way. Show us the way once more in this Christmas season.
People: Let there be light!
Light the Christ candle.
Prayer: Jesus, light of the world. We welcome you this day and always. We have hoped for you, we still hold on to hope that one day peace will come to rest upon all nations. We pray for the day when joy is the only feeling in our hearts as your glory kisses the earth. We pray for the time where hatred is no more and only love. Only love fills our whole being and praise is all we need to give in your full presence. Thank you for this day that reminds us of all that is and is to come. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
