Family Advent Time

Dec 7

Written By admin

We have wanted to put some liturgy back into our lives this Christmas season to usher in the celebration of Immanuel ("God with us").

Here's our simple plan this season...

A sweet friend gave us a wreath-y greenish flower thing and I added 4 candles to it. Then I pieced together some passages of the Bible that I found from other Advent books and sites. We lit our candles tonight after dinner (it's the second week now) and we read the 4 passages. Robby stayed on Rob's lap for about 20 seconds and then ran around, tried to get into something he shouldn't and Rob ended up holding Robby by his feet upside down like a bat during the last 2 readings.

Yep, Advent is an Everyday Spirituality sort of thing....with crying, stinky diapers and train noises out of the mouth of babes as we attempt to read the Bible as a family. It was festive, to say the least.

Here's our Scripture recipe for Advent:

First Sunday and Week of Advent

Directions Light the first purple candle

Prayer: Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come, that by thy protection we may be rescued from the dangers that beset us through our sins; and be a Redeemer to deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer: O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us. (From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke: 1:26-38 Isaiah 7:10-14 Matthew 1:18-24

Second Sunday and Week of Advent

Directions Light the 1st purple candle (repeat first week's prayer) Light the 2nd purple candle

Prayer: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve thee with hearts purified by His coming: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer: O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart, come and save your people. (From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures: Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 Isaiah 2:1-5 Matthew 3:1-6

Third Sunday and Week of Advent

Directions Light the 1st purple candle (repeat 1st week's prayer) Light the 2nd purple candle (repeat 2nd week's prayer) Light the rose candle

Prayer: We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord, and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds: Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer: O Key of David, Jesus Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation. (From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7 John 1:19-34 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Philippians 2:1-11

Fourth Sunday and Week of Advent

Directions Light the 1st purple candle (repeat 1st week's prayer) Light the 2nd purple candle (repeat 2nd week's prayer) Light the rose candle (repeat 3rd week's prayer) Light the 4th purple candle

Prayer: Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come: Assist us by that mighty power, so that by thy grace and merciful kindness we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede: Who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer: O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation. (From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures: Malachi 3:1-5 Romans 8:18-25 Isaiah 52:7-10 Revelation 21:1-4

Christmas Day and Christmastide

Directions for 5-Candle Wreaths Light 4 preceding candles (repeat each week's prayer while lighting them) Light the center white candle

Directions for 4-Candle Wreaths Replace all Advent Candles with White Candles and Light

Prayer: God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (From The Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Co.)

Alternate/Complementary Prayer: Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born. Let the sick and infirm rejoice, For their saviour is born. Let the captives rejoice, For their Redeemer is born. Let slaves rejoice, for their Master is born. Let free men rejoice, For their Liberator is born. Let All Christians rejoice, For Jesus Christ is born. St. Augustine of Hippo