Celtic Advent Begins

A CELTIC ADVENT LITURGY

The lantern is lit


(A few moments of silence)

'Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.'


(John 1:3-5)
In the beginning, Lord


I was alone


Like the earth


before your Spirit moved over the waters.


I was formless and empty


and darkness filled the depths of my heart.


Then, it was as if you declared


'Let there be Light'


and out of the darkness


I began to see hope


like a shimmering ray of love


breaking through the parting clouds


at the conclusion of the night.


In the beginning, Lord I was alone


but when I saw you in the light I was no longer afraid.


You held out your hand


and though I had a choice


I had no choice


because to refuse


was to embrace again the darkness.


In the beginning, Lord I was alone


now I am again a part


of your creation


loved, wanted, needed, family.


In the light of your presence


I hold out my heart that others


might glimpse through it your reflection


and be drawn from the darkness that I once embraced


into the light of your sunrise


the brightness of your face




Lord Jesus, Son of God, Saviour of the world


All: Be the centre of all that we are, and the life that we lead


Lord Jesus, Light in this dark World, illuminate our hearts and minds


All: Be the centre of all that we are, and the life that we lead




(A space for music to be played or sung )

'There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.'


(John 1:6-9)


(A moment of silence - During the silence, you may like to read and reflect on the words that have been read, gaze at the lantern - or simply enjoy the peace and calm )


In the lonely places


The wilderness


Where we stand forlorn


Windswept and alone


Your voice calls out


Prepare a way for the Lord


In the dark places


The shadows


Where we hide our fears


Embrace our tears


Your voice calls out


Prepare a way for the Lord


For the desert places in which we walk


The streets we roam


The paths we cross


Guide our feet


Take us to places


Where you would go


Give us words that you would use


That in this Advent season


Of promise and preparation


We might point the way with John the Baptist


To the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!






O come, Thou Day-spring, from on high,


And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;


Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,


And death's dark shadows put to flight.


Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel


Shall come again and with us ever dwell






(Scripture reading - possibly the Gospel reading for the day)





(A space for music to be played or sung)




(Intercessions - A caim prayer)


Circle us, Lord


Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark word


Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation


Enable us to be victors over sin and despair


Enable us to become that which you would desire


(Silent prayer)


Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation


Circle us with the light of your presence


Circle us, Lord


Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms


Protect them in each moment of their daily lives


Protect them in the decisions that they face


Protect their homes and relationships


(Silent prayer)


Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation


Circle our families with the light of your presence






Circle us, Lord


Circle this nation with Advent love and hope


Create a desire to listen to the Advent message


Create a willingness to understand and respond


Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child


(Silent prayer)


Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation


Circle our nation with the light of your presence






Circle us, Lord


Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation


Where there is sickness and disease bring healing


Where there is hunger and despair bring hope


Where there is torture and oppression bring release


(Silent prayer)


Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation


Circle this world with the light of your presence








Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path;


grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching,


that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.