02. Advent Season

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02. Advent Season

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VERSION: 2 April 2002

 

ADVENT SEASON

 

 

CONTENTS

 

GENERAL

      This document

      What is Advent?

 

LITURGY

      Sentence

      Advent prose

      Confession and absolution

      Introduction to confession of sins

      Advent penitential response

      Lord, have mercy

      Hymn of adoration

      Advent sequence

      Advent responses

      Prayer of the church

      Advent litany

      Seasonal preface

      Eucharistic prayer

      Acclamation after the words of institution

      Communion invitation

      Prayer after communion

      Seasonal blessing

 

HYMNS AND SONGS

      Sources

      Opening sentences

      Advent prose

      Lord, have mercy

      Advent litany

      Offertory

      Holy, holy, holy

      Post-communion song

      New hymn translation

      'All Together' songs for Advent

      'Together in Song' hymns/songs for Advent

      Taize songs for Advent

      Iona Community songs for Advent

      Canticles

      The 'O antiphons'

 

MUSIC

 

VISUAL ARTS

      General

      Colours

      Flowers and display

      Advent wreath

      Jesse tree

      Symbols for Advent

 

DRAMA

 

CHILDREN

      General

      Advent wreath songs for children

 

OTHER MATERIAL

      Advent readings and carols service

      Advent proclamation

ADVENT SEASON

 

 

GENERAL

 

THIS DOCUMENT

Please see the general worship guidelines and ideas given in the document 'General notes and resources' in this folder. This Advent document supplements that document, containing additional suggestions for the season of Advent as a whole. Material specific to each Sunday is given in the documents for those Sundays.

 

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Advent begins with the First Sunday of Advent, at the end of November or the beginning of December. This is the beginning of the church year. There are always four Sundays of Advent, before Christmas, whether Christmas day falls on a weekday or a Sunday. Note that current usage is Sundays of, rather than Sundays in, Advent.

 

The word 'advent' means 'coming'. During this time we look forward to our Lord's coming as a human baby at Bethlehem and also to his final coming as king at the end of time. We also remember his continual coming to his people in his word and sacraments. Advent is therefore a time of waiting, preparing, and hoping. This involves both repentance and joyful anticipation.

 

 

LITURGY

 

SENTENCE

A Sentence may be said or sung entirely by the minister, or it may be said or sung as a responsive verse. See the document 'General notes and resources' (under 'Sentence') in this folder for suggested general Sentences and for some suggested places in the service for using a Sentence.

 

Here is a suggested Sentence for the season of Advent. Other Sentences are suggested in the notes for each Sunday or festival.

 

Here is your God.

He will come to save you.

 

The Sentence may be sung with or without alleluias. See also below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Opening sentences', for a suggested song to sing as opening verses.

 

ADVENT PROSE

The Advent prose consists of traditional responses based on Isaiah 64, 43, and other passages. It may be used at any time during Advent, but is best on the First Sunday of Advent, and may be used to begin the service. It may be sung to either the setting by Francine Schultz or the setting by Alan Collyer given in Music Package 1. (See also below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Advent prose', for a metrical form of the Advent prose for singing.)

 

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down righteousness.

 

Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,

and do not remember iniquity forever.

Your holy cities have become a wilderness,

(Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation) -

our holy and beautiful house,

where our ancestors praised you.

 

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down righteousness.

 

We have sinned; we have all become like one who is unclean.

We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

You have hidden your face from us,

and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

 

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down righteousness.

 

You are my witnesses, says the Lord,

and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me.

I, I myself am the Lord, and besides me there is no saviour;

there is no one who can deliver from my hand.

 

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down righteousness.

 

Comfort, O comfort my people,

my salvation shall not be slow:

I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud.

Do not fear, for I will save you,

for I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer.

 

Pour down, O heavens, from above,

and let the skies rain down righteousness.

 

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Although this emphasis has largely been lost in recent times, Advent is a penitential season of the church. Those wishing to emphasise this may use the Order for Confession and Absolution (LHS p 32) instead of the confession and absolution in the regular service. Note that this order is also found in the disk (and coil bound print-out) of Approved Worship Services (which also has different forms for confession and absolution in its Appendix).

 

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION OF SINS

Various forms of confession and absolution are included in the Appendix material of the disk (or coil bound print-out) of Approved Worship Services. Note that it is often beneficial to leave a time of silence between the call to confession and the prayer of confession. If there is a silence, the minister can lead with the words of the confession after it.

 

During the Advent season, one of the following introductions could be used:

 

EITHER

Precede the regular invitation to confession with these words:

Friends in Christ:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Then continue with the regular invitation and prayer of confession.

 

OR

Friends in Christ:

Our Lord says: ‘Repent,

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’.

So let us confess our sins to God our Father,

because Jesus Christ has come to forgive us our sins.

The minister then leads with the words of the regular confession.

 

ADVENT PENITENTIAL RESPONSE

The following penitential responses do not include an absolution, and may therefore be appropriate for a lay reading service. However, if an absolution is desired, the usual absolution in the service may be used after the final prayer of the responses.

 

We are all born weak and helpless.

All lead the same short, troubled life.

We grow and wither

as quickly as the flowers;

we disappear like shadows.

O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us.

 

In the midst of life we are in death.

To whom can we go for help,

but to you, Lord God,

though you are rightly displeased

because of our sins?

O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us.

 

You know the secrets of our hearts;

mercifully hear us,

most worthy judge eternal;

keep us, at our last hour,

in the consolation of your love.

O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us.

 

O Lord God, your mercies are always new.

Give us the Spirit of your dear Son,

so that in the day of judgment

we may stand in your presence

as your forgiven people, despite our sins,

as your faithful people, despite our failures,

and as those who have been claimed by your Son through faith,

although we have not deserved him.

On that day may the same Christ, who has redeemed our lives,

also plead our cause before your throne of grace.

In his name we pray.

Amen.

 

LORD, HAVE MERCY

For guidelines and variations of the 'Lord, have mercy', see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Liturgy', 'Lord, have mercy', in this folder.

 

Here is an Advent introduction to the 'Lord, have mercy'.

 

Let us call on Jesus our coming Lord* and ask him to help us.

[silence]

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

(or one of the other regular forms of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be used after the silence.)

 

* or our Lord who comes to us

 

Note the suggestion below that the 'Glory to God in the highest' or 'This is the feast' not be sung during Advent. This allows more scope for variations of the 'Lord, have mercy', such as those given here and those in the document 'General notes and resources'.

 

The first version below may be sung to the setting by Francine Schultz in Music Package 1.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming Saviour, hear our prayer and save us.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming Redeemer, hear our prayer and help us.

Lord, have mercy. OR Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming King, hear our prayer and give us peace.

Lord, have mercy.

 

OR

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming Saviour, hear our prayer and save us.

Kyrie, eleison.

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming Redeemer, hear our prayer and help us.

Kyrie, eleison. OR Christe, eleison.

Lord Jesus Christ, our coming King, hear our prayer and give us peace.

Kyrie, eleison.

 

See also the suggestions below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lord, have mercy' and in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lord, have mercy', in this folder.

 

HYMN OF ADORATION

The 'Glory to God in the highest' may be omitted during Advent, or the shortened form could be used. 'This is the feast' is not as suitable for use during Advent as in some other seasons, especially Easter.

 

Other canticles could be used instead; for suggestions, see under 'Canticles' below and also in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Canticles', in this folder.

 

ADVENT SEQUENCE

The sequence is a hymn specially written for use on major festivals between the second reading and the alleluia verse. The Latin texts for these traditional songs grew out of the alleluia verse during the ninth and tenth centuries. Only two of these sequence hymns remain in use in the church, both of which have versions included in our hymnal: the sequence for Easter (Victimae paschali laudes, LH 91) and the sequence for Pentecost (Veni sancte spiritus, LH 120). Our Lutheran Hymnal also contains two versions of the sequence for the requiem mass Dies irae (LH 485 and 488), although even in the Roman rite this sequence is no longer used.

 

A number of other sequences were developed, however, including this one for Advent. Written in the 11th century, this sequence (translated by David Sch¸tz) may be sung to the tune St Denio (LH 392, TIS 143).

 

Come, lasting salvation! Come, life of the world!

Come, our true redeemer! Come, light of the world!

It grieves you to see how we suffer and die -

so come down, in mercy, from heaven on high.

 

So freely, so quickly, you come to our help,

to save the whole earth and bring joy to the world.

You take on our nature, still keeping your own,

and with us you willingly make your new home.

 

O Christ, purify us in body and soul,

and, by your great sacrifice, make us all whole.

Let us be your dwelling, your temple of love,

fill us with your light and your peace from above.

 

Your first coming brought us forgiveness of sin.

We eagerly wait for your coming again,

when all will be known and when all are set free,

and when, in white robes, we will go where you lead.

 

ADVENT RESPONSES

These responses may be used after one of the readings as a response (this is especially appropriate in matins or vespers), or as a gradual (in the service with holy communion), or as opening sentences. The first response is from the Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement, page 77. If the responses are used as opening sentences, the 'Glory to the Father...' may be replaced by 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'

 

The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous branch,

a King who will reign and do what is just and right in the land.

This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteousness.

In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteousness.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteousness.

 

OR

Rejoice greatly, for your king comes to you.

Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

The Lord is coming to judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

He will come and save you.

Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

 

OR

Restore us again, Lord God of hosts.

Shine on us and we shall be saved.

Shepherd of Israel, hear us; shine from your cherubim throne.

Shine on us and we shall be saved.

Lord, stir up your strength; Lord, come to our help!

Shine on us and we shall be saved.

Return again, God of hosts, we pray; look down from heaven, and see.

Shine on us and we shall be saved.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Restore us again, Lord God of hosts. Shine on us and we shall be saved.

 

OR

Now it is time to wake up from your sleep,

for the night is nearly over and the day is almost here.

Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed,

for the night is nearly over.

Let us therefore lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light,

for the day is almost here.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and pay no attention to your sinful nature,

for the night is nearly over and the day is almost here.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Now it is time to wake up from your sleep,

for the night is nearly over and the day is almost here.

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

For general guidelines and ideas, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Liturgy', 'Prayer of the church', in this folder.

 

It is generally preferable to use a well-known response such as 'Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer' to the intercessions, so that congregations can respond readily without having to look at the printed order of service or bulletin, which can be disrupting. However, if a seasonal variation is preferred, the following may be used as a response throughout Advent:

 

Father, we ask you:

Come and rule over us.

 

During Advent, the following prayer, based on Luther's Small Catechism explanation of the prayer 'Your kingdom come', may be used in a variety of ways. It may be used as an additional prayer of the day (collect), as an offertory prayer, or as the introductory and/or the concluding collect before and/or after the intercessions.

 

Lord, you come to rule as king

even if we don't ask

for this to happen,

but we ask you:

Father, come and rule over us.

Give us your Holy Spirit,

so that by your goodness to us

we may believe your holy word

and live as your people

on earth now

and in heaven forever.

Amen.

 

The prayer above may be split into two sections. The first half may be used to introduce the intercessions and the response of the general prayer, and the second may be used to conclude the intercessions at the end.

 

Reference could be made in the prayer of the church to symbolism of the weather or geography etc of the local region, eg

As we have been looking forward to rain/sunshine/ . . ., lead us to look forward to the coming of our Lord.

OR

Plant the hope of Christ in our hearts so that it may flower like the jacaranda trees in our streets.

 

ADVENT LITANY

Here is a litany for Advent, adapted from Lindemann's The Daily Office.

 

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, name called Wonderful,

Jesus, our great Comforter,

Jesus, true and mighty God,

Jesus, everlasting Father,

Jesus, Prince of peace,

we praise you and we bless your holy name.

Jesus, Son of David,

Jesus, Branch of Jesse,

Jesus, Rose of Sharon,

Jesus, Lily of the valley,

Jesus, bright and Morning Star,

deliver us from our sins.

Jesus, Sceptre of Israel,

Jesus, Light of the Gentiles,

Jesus, desire of all nations,

Jesus, Sun of righteousness,

Jesus, Lawgiver, Priest, Judge, and King,

help us and bless us.

Jesus, hear us,

and prepare us for your coming.

Gather your ancient people, the Jews, to yourself;

bring all Gentiles to your light and truth;

convert all leaders and rulers of nations

to fall down before you and to seek your glory.

Listen to our prayer, Lord, and hear our cry for help.

Help your messengers to prepare the way before you;

let all the nations fear you;

give your servants righteousness and knowledge;

preserve all who put their trust in you;

and give peace to all your people.

Listen to our prayer, Lord, and hear our cry for help.

Prepare us for your coming,

and save us from our sins.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Amen.

 

A sung version of the Advent litany may be found below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Advent litany'.

 

SEASONAL PREFACE

The seasonal preface given in the documents for each Sunday and festival is a modernised text recommended for use by the Department of Liturgics with all forms of the liturgy (originally released with the Approved Worship Services disk, in the Service - Alternative Form and the Sing the Feast settings). However, at this stage, these modernised prefaces have not been set to music for singing by the presiding minister.

 

The modernised text for Advent is:

 

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You fulfilled your promise to comfort your people

by sending Jesus the Redeemer,

and to make all things new through him

when he comes to judge the world

and set it right.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

 

Until music is made available for these modernised texts, those who sing the prefaces may either attempt to adapt the relevant chant to the new words, or use the original texts on pages 20 to 23 of the harmony edition of the Supplement to the Lutheran Hymnal (for the Service with Communion) or pages 101 to 103 (for the Service - Alternative Form). For convenience, these texts for the sung form of the seasonal prefaces for Advent are given here:

 

For the Service with Communion:

It is truly fitting and right,

and for our lasting good,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

O Lord, holy Father,

almighty and eternal God,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;

through whom you comforted your people

with the promise of the Redeemer,

and will also make all things new

in the day when he will come again

to judge the world in righteousness.

Therefore with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and magnify your glorious name,

evermore praising you and saying:

 

OR, for the Service - Alternative Form

It is indeed right and salutary,

that we should at all times and in all places

offer thanks and praise to you,

O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everliving God.

You comforted your people

with the promise of the Redeemer,

through whom you will also make all things new

in the day when he comes again to judge the world in righteousness.

And so, with the church on earth

and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name

and join their unending hymn:

 

OR, if the Modern Liturgy  (originally from Worship Today) is used:

Who came to earth for us

in great humility,

and by his birth and life

has shown your love to all.

 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

One of the following Advent variations could be used.

 

A. A modified form of the prayer in the Service - Alternative Form (also in the Sing the Feast settings).

 

All praise and thanks be to you, eternal God, holy Father,

together with your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the Holy Spirit, who unites your people in love.

We thank you for creating all things.

We thank you for calling and rescuing your chosen people.

Above all we thank and praise you

for keeping your promise to the people of old

in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ.

And so we remember

his life, death, and resurrection for our salvation

as he comes to us once again in this holy meal.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

B. A modified form of the prayer in the Modern Liturgy (originally from Worship Today).

 

Gracious Father,

we therefore remember the sacrifice of our Lord

in celebration,

as we receive his body and blood

with this bread and wine.

We rejoice to receive all that he has done for us.

We thank you that he came as the true light

to enlighten the whole world,

and we wait for his coming again

to share with us the heavenly feast.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit,

so that we who receive the body and blood of Christ

may live as true members of the body of your Son.

Amen.

 

ACCLAMATION AFTER THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

Consider using the Service - Alternative Form or one of the Sing the Feast services (or parts) during Advent, as the thanksgiving prayer includes the congregational response: 'Amen. Come, Lord Jesus'.

 

If the Alternative Form is used, the acclamation 'Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again' may be replaced with the following alternative. It is appropriate to use the invitation given here.

 

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

Dying, you destroyed our death;

rising, you restored our life;

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

 

Note that a musical setting by Francine Schultz of each of these acclamations is available in Music Package 1. The song AT 268 is also a setting of the acclamation 'Christ has died'.

 

COMMUNION INVITATION

The following invitation may be used before communion throughout Advent. The congregation may respond with the words 'Thanks be to God' after the verse, before the invitation, 'Come . . .'.

 

Blessed are those who have been invited

to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Although individual post-communion prayers are suggested in the documents for Sundays and festivals, this variation of the post-communion prayer may be used throughout Advent.

 

We give you thanks, almighty God,

that you have fed us with this promise of salvation.

We pray that through it

you would graciously strengthen us

in faith toward you and in love toward one another,

so that we may be prepared

for the coming of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

SEASONAL BLESSING

Here is a seasonal blessing for Advent. It may be used before the usual blessing.

 

(May) Christ, the Sun of Righteousness,

shine on you and make you ready to meet him

when he comes in glory; . . . (the blessing follows)

 

 

HYMNS AND SONGS

 

SOURCES

The following are the main sources for suggested hymns and songs:

 

Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (LHS)

The 'All Together' songbooks (AT)

Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II (TIS)

Revised texts: Modernised 'Lutheran Hymnal' hymns (see the 'Modernised Lutheran Hymnal hymns' folder). These modernised hymns are usually indicated with an asterisk (*) and the words 'Modernised version available'.

Some new hymns/songs.

 

Permission is given for the new songs/hymns and new versions to be reproduced by congregations for non-commercial worship purposes (with acknowledgment).

 

OPENING SENTENCES

Consider using TIS 279 'The King of glory comes' (also found in Sing to Jesus 83) as opening sentences. A cantor could sing the refrain, which is repeated by the congregation. The cantor then sings one of the verses, and the congregation sings the refrain once more.

 

ADVENT PROSE

This Advent prose paraphrase, written by David Sch¸tz, is sung to the tune of Wer nur den lieben Gott (Neumark) (LHS 407, AT 384, TIS 554). A chanted form of the Advent prose (though with archaic language) is to be found in the New English Hymnal no. 501 (note: originally the English Hymnal no. 735).

 

Do not be angry, Lord, forever,

do not remember all our sin.

Your holy city and your temple,

where once we praised you, lies in ruin.

Pour down, O heavens, from above

righteousness, peace, salvation, love.

 

Like those unclean, we sinned against you,

like faded leaves, we drift away.

Your face is hidden from your people,

our sins have caught us in their sway.

Pour down, O heavens, from above

righteousness, peace, salvation, love.

 

You are my witnesses, my servants,

I chose you that you may believe;

I am the Lord, there's none beside me;

look to no other power to save.

Pour down, O heavens, from above

righteousness, peace, salvation, love.

 

O comfort, comfort all my people,

my saving power shall not be slow.

So do not fear, for I will save you;

your scarlet sins shall be like snow.

Pour down, O heavens, from above

righteousness, peace, salvation, love.

 

LORD, HAVE MERCY

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lord, have mercy', in this folder for metrical paraphrases of the 'Lord, have mercy'. Below are two Advent versions.

 

This 'Lord, have mercy', by David Sch¸tz, may be sung to 'Sieh, hier bin ich' (LH 150) or Regent Square (LH 248, TIS 142).

 

Jesus Christ, our promised Saviour,

hear our prayer and rescue us.

Son of God and Son of Mary,

Jesus, Lord, in you we trust.

Lord, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy on us now.

 

Jesus Christ, our one Redeemer,

hear our prayer, deliver us.

Ransom us from death's dark prison,

set us free from Eden's curse.

Lord, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy on us now.

 

Jesus Christ, our King of glory,

hear our prayer and give us peace.

David's Son, we bow before you,

here before your throne of grace.

Lord, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy on us now.

 

Here is a metrical 'Lord, have mercy' by David Schubert. It is to the metre 8.6.8.6, so there are plenty of available tunes (eg the Christmas carol tune of LH 624, TIS 299 could be considered). Note that there is also a 'Lamb of God' (in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Lamb of God') to the same metre, so consider singing the 'Lord, have mercy' here to the same tune, to help give a unity to the liturgy if hymnic parts are used. The pastor/cantor/choir could sing lines 1 and 3, or they could be sung by only men or only women, alternating verse by verse, and then the whole congregation could sing lines 2 and 4 in each verse as a repeated response.

 

Our coming King, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Lord.

Look down in pity on our needs,

have mercy on us, Lord.

 

Our coming King, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Christ.

Defend and help and comfort us,

have mercy on us, Christ.

 

Our coming King, we pray to you,

in mercy hear us, Lord.

Be with your people, give us peace,

have mercy on us, Lord.

 

ADVENT LITANY

This version of the Advent litany by RF Littledale (1833-90), modernised, may be sung to 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland', LH 19, TIS 295. The first three lines of each verse may be sung by a cantor or choir, with the congregation joining in the fourth line of each verse.

 

God the Father, God the Son,

God the Spirit, Three in one,

hear us from your heavenly throne,

save us, holy Trinity.

 

Jesus, king of endless might,

Jesus, everlasting light,

Jesus, wisdom infinite,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

Jesus, sole-begotten Son,

Jesus, high and holy One,

Jesus, the chief cornerstone,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

Jesus, sun of righteousness,

Jesus, mercy fathomless,

Jesus, ever near to bless,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

Jesus, father of the poor,

Jesus, guard and refuge sure,

Jesus, holy one and pure,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

Jesus, healer of complaints,

Jesus, strength of those who faint,

Jesus, teacher of the saints,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

Jesus, fountain from on high,

Jesus, Saviour in the strife,

Jesus, way and truth and life,

quickly come to save us, Lord.

 

OFFERTORY

The following hymn verses may be used for offertories during Advent.

 

LHS 14, verses 5 and 6 (see modernised version vv 4, 5)

LHS 17, TIS 272, verses 1 and 4 (modernised version)

LHS 18, TIS 267, verse 5 (modernised version)

 

See also the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Offering hymn', in this folder.

 

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Holy, holy, holy', in this folder for metrical paraphrases of the 'Holy, holy, holy'. Consider using the following paraphrase sung to the tune of LH 19, TIS 295 (the tune of an Advent hymn):

 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord,

great and ever-present God.

Earth joins heaven as we sing:

Praise to our triumphant king.

 

In this place let us proclaim

Christ who comes in God's own name;

join with angels as we sing:

Glory to our holy king.

 

POST-COMMUNION SONG

Some of the hymn verses listed under 'Offertory' above may also be used in place of the post-communion canticle (ie in place of the Song of Simeon or 'Thank the Lord'). For other suggestions, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Hymns and songs', 'Post-communion song', in this folder.

 

NEW HYMN TRANSLATION

Note the new translation of Lutheran Hymnal no. 1, Listen to the voice of thunder, included in the ‘Modernised Lutheran Hymnal Hymns’ folder.

 

'ALL TOGETHER' SONGS FOR ADVENT

The following 'All Together' songs could be considered for use in Advent.

 

17        Emmanuel: God is with us

20        Come, Lord Jesus, come

25        Comfort, comfort (all my people)

55        His name is Wonderful

133        Jesus sets us free

187        Help us, Lord

220        There'll be peace

221        They were waiting

229        Christ is a-comin'

260        Magnificat/Mary's song

302        Soon and very soon

309        When the Lord returns

313        Christ, be our light

314        Come to us

315        Drawn to the light

328        Tell the city

355        Freedom is coming

389        Light of the nations

402        God has chosen me

420        Get ready

434        Sing out with joy, he is coming

454        Your God will come

492        Bridegroom

502        Patiently waiting for you

 

'TOGETHER IN SONG' HYMNS/SONGS FOR ADVENT

Hymns and songs suggested for Advent are listed in the Church's Year index on p 1090 of the harmony edition of TIS.

 

TAIZE SONGS FOR ADVENT

Taize chants may be used in a separate service, or they may be used in the service with holy communion as meditative responses to readings, as replacements for the equivalent section of the liturgy (eg kyries may replace the 'Lord, have mercy'), as simple chants to be sung during communion, or as sung responses to the intercessions. Here are some suitable for Advent.

 

VOLUME 1

Miserere mei (Ps 25)

Kyrie IX

Libera nos, Domine

Maranatha! Alleluia! I

Hosanna Filio David

Maranatha Alleluia II

Maranatha Veni Domine

Benedictus

Magnificat

Ostende nobis

 

VOLUME 2

O Christe Domine Jesu (Ps 25)

Wait for the Lord

 

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS FOR ADVENT

Here is a list of some of the available volumes of Iona music and recordings, and those songs that are suitable for Advent. Note that the Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from these publications on a service sheet or overhead transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis, provided that the title of the song and the name of the copyright holder is clearly shown.

 

John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise

Sung by Wild Goose Worship Group, available in songbook and cassette. Twenty-four songs from the Psalms, paraphrased and arranged by John Bell.

 

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1 Heaven Shall Not Wait

Sung by Wild Goose Worship Group, available as songbook and cassette. Sixty-two songs of creation, the incarnation and the life of Jesus.

 

Suggested for Advent

The day of the Lord        page 40

Come, Lord, come quickly        page 133

Magnificat        page 137

Veni Immanuel        page 138

 

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 2 Enemy of Apathy

Available as songbook. Contains sixty-two songs and chants for Lent, Eastertide and Pentecost.

 

Suggested for Advent

Prepare the way of the Lord        page 12

He comes        page 78 (hc)

Behold the Lamb of God        page 133

 

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs Vol. 3 Love from Below

Available as songbook and cassette. Contains sixty-two songs of discipleship and the church's sacraments and seasons.

 

Suggested for Advent

God it was        page 48

 

CANTICLES

For guidelines on using canticles as well as different versions of the texts, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Canticles', in this folder. Particularly suitable for Advent are:

 

* The Song of Mary (Magnificat)

 

* Isaiah 35 (especially appropriate in the approaching Australian summer).

 

THE 'O ANTIPHONS'

The ancient seven 'O antiphons' were traditionally sung as antiphons to the Song of Mary at vespers from 17 to 23 December, but can be used at any time in Advent. They are best known to us in the hymn 'O come, O come, Immanuel' (LH 2, TIS 265).

 

For those interested, here is a bit of trivia about the 'O antiphons':

 

The anonymous poet (or poets) who put these texts together did an amazing job of including the most delightful hidden message - a special meaning for a special time of year. The various prophetic names used in the text (Key of David, King of the nations, Wisdom from on high, etc) were selected and ordered in such a way that they pointed to the coming of Messiah. Here are the beginnings of the seven verses in Latin:

 

1. O Sapientia (Wisdom from on high) - 18 December

2. O Adonai (Lord) - 19 December

3. O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse) - 20 December

4. O Clavis David (Key of David) - 21 December

5. O Oriens (Dayspring, Light from the east) - 22 December

6. O Rex Gentium (King of the nations) - 23 December

7. O Emmanuel (Emmanuel, God with us) - 24 December

 

As you can see, a wonderful acrostic message is built into the structure of the verses. What do you get? SARCORE - which means absolutely nothing. But if you turn those letters around to make an anagram, you get: ERO CRAS, which means 'I will be tomorrow'. In other words, on 24 December, the long-expected Jesus is saying 'Tomorrow's my birthday'.

 

The full seven antiphons are given here in modern translation in both verse, based on Neale's translation (LHS gives only 4 verses, and TIS 5), and prose, adapted from ICEL. They are set out as a separate meditation service which could perhaps be used at an Advent evening. Before each reading, a verse is sung. After each reading, the antiphon is read as a prayer, with the response: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

FIRST ANTIPHON: (cf Isa 40:3,4; Sirach 24:3; Wisdom 8:1)

O come, O wisdom, Word of God,

teach us to know and fear the Lord;

you guide the world through night and day:

direct us in the living way.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Proverbs 8:1-10,22-31

 

O wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

SECOND ANTIPHON: (cf Exod 19:2,3,12; Exod 3:2; Exod 6:6)

O come, O come, great Lord of might,

who to the tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times did give the law,

in cloud and majesty and awe.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Exodus 3:16

 

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, you showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, and you gave him the holy way on Sinai mountain. Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

THIRD ANTIPHON: (cf Isa 5:15; 11:10; Rom 15:12; Hab 2:3; Heb 10:37)

O come, O branch of Jesse, free

your own from Satan's tyranny;

from depths of hell your people save,

and give them victory o'er the grave.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Isaiah 11:1-5

 

O branch from Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

FOURTH ANTIPHON: (cf Isa 22:22; 42:6b,7; Rev 3:7; Ps 107:14; Luke 1:79)

O come, O key of David, come

and open wide our heavenly home;

make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Isaiah 22:20-23

 

O key of David, O royal power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven, come and break down the prison walls of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

FIFTH ANTIPHON: (cf Mal 4:2; Heb 1:3; Luke 1:78,79; 2 Pet 1:19; Isa 9:2)

O come, O dayspring, come and cheer

our spirits by your advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death's dark shadows put to flight.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Numbers 24:14-17

 

O radiant dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

SIXTH ANTIPHON: (cf Isa 28:16; Eph 2:14; Gen 2:7)

O come, O king of nations, bind

in one the hearts of humankind.

Bid every sad division cease

and be yourself our Prince of Peace.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Jeremiah 30:7-11

 

O king of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O keystone of the mighty arch of humankind, come and save the creatures you fashioned from the dust.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

SEVENTH ANTIPHON: (cf Isa 7:14; Isa 8:8; Isa 33:22; Gen 49:10)

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here,

until the Son of God appear.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

      shall come to you, O Israel.

 

Reading: Matthew 1:18-23

 

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

 

MUSIC

 

For various music resources and guidelines, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Music', in this folder. See also in this folder the document 'Indexes to Music Packages'.

 

 

VISUAL ARTS

 

GENERAL

For general guidelines and ideas, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Visual arts', in this folder.

 

COLOURS

Violet or blue.

 

Traditionally, violet (or purple) has been used for the Advent season, and often the paraments and vestments for Lent have doubled for Advent as well. Unfortunately, this has often meant that the symbols on the paraments have not always been appropriate to Advent (eg crown of thorns). Thought may therefore be given to preparing a separate set of paraments and vestments using blue colouring and specific Advent symbols (see below for symbols, under 'Symbols for Advent'). Blue is the colour of hope and now widely used throughout the world for Advent. Purple and/or blue flowers may be used during Advent.

 

FLOWERS AND DISPLAY

Flowers: 1) Violet/blue and white - an L-shaped arrangement with a white circle representing the everlasting Father, and a star representing the coming Christchild (see Flowers with a Message by Agnes Ritter). Or 2) Use a protea bud and a large king protea (these are a soft pink). The large flower represents Mary, mother of the coming King, while the protea bud represents the child Jesus, the coming King. These can be encircled with an arch made of two plastic canes. Small flowers representing the people for whom Jesus came can be placed at the base of the arrangement (see Flowers with a Message by Agnes Ritter).

 

Display: Use a violet/blue drape. Create a parallel European style floral arrangement (violet/blue and white flowers) with a path in the centre, and a sign or poster saying: 'Prepare the way for the Lord' or 'Jesus is coming'.

 

ADVENT WREATH

An Advent wreath can be made by tying evergreen branches to a metal or wooden hoop, thus making a wreath. The wreath can be hung from the ceiling or from a stand. In the church an appropriate place for it is before the altar if it is hung from the ceiling and high enough to walk under it. Otherwise, it can be placed on the north or south side of the chancel, preferably the north side. At vespers on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent and in any services throughout the week until the eve of the next Sunday, one candle is lit. The next week two, the third week three, and the fourth week until Christmas Eve four. The wreath is removed before the first vespers of Christmas. An appropriate Messianic prophecy may be read at the lighting of the wreath . . . (from Lang, Ceremony and Celebration, p 154)

 

Instead of using pine branches, native eucalyptus may be more culturally appropriate in Australia - although in either case care needs to be taken since both pine and eucalyptus are highly flammable. Candles should be large enough so that the first candle will last for all four Sundays - the symbolism is best maintained if there is no need to replace or rotate candles. Candles are traditionally white, although other colours may be used. Some argue that the candles must be white, since the candles represent Christ, the light of the world, but while this may be true of altar candles and the paschal candle, it is hard to sustain this argument for Advent wreath candles which symbolise waiting for the Christ, rather than the Christ himself. Blue or red may be used, but commonly the candles are purple. In the old 1-year calendar, the Third Sunday was known as Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice!) and so the third candle was occasionally rose-coloured as a symbol of joy. A fifth candle is often included in the centre of the wreath (this one is white, because it does represent Christ) to be lit at Christmas Eve. The wreath is taken away before the Christmas Day service.

 

While the Advent wreath may be lit before the service at the same time as the altar candles, the lighting of the wreath candles in a little rite in the service offers the opportunity to focus the congregation's attention on this symbol. Despite popular belief, there are no traditional words to accompany the lighting of the candles, and many different meanings have been given to the four candles. For this reason it is best to avoid trying to explain the meaning of the candles - let the symbols speak for themselves. Do not overlook the opportunity the Advent wreath gives for the participation of children. The lighting of the candle may be done by an older child (with care), or it may become the focus of the children's address (which may be shifted to the beginning of the service).

 

A suggestion for dramatic movement: While the usual practice is to have all the candles in the wreath and to light them one by one throughout the season, another option is to place the candles into the wreath only on the day of their lighting. For instance, the candle for the week (lit) may be carried in at the beginning of the service (in procession or in front of the minister as he enters) and placed into the wreath. This may be done during the singing of a hymn verse or responses.

 

A suggestion for children's songs during the lighting of the wreath: TIS 286 'Light one candle for hope' or TIS 289 'Christmas is coming' may be taught to the congregation over four weeks and used to accompany the lighting of the candles. Note that these two songs give different emphases for each of the four Sundays of Advent. See more details for how to treat the songs under 'Children', 'Advent wreath songs for children', below.

 

Suggested prayers and responses: The pastor, a reader or children could read the part in normal print, and the congregation respond with the bold print.

 

First Sunday of Advent

 

The true light was in the world,

and the world came into being through him;

yet the world did not know him.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

 

OR

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.

You came to be born as a king in Bethlehem,

the city of King David.

Be born in our hearts,

and rule our lives today.

Amen.

 

OR, a hymn verse (tune: LH 19 (TIS 295) or LH 36)

Keep awake throughout the night.

Let this candle flame burn bright.

Let us shelter in the light

till the dawn is in our sight.

 

Second Sunday of Advent

 

The true light came to those who belonged to him,

and his own people did not accept him.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

 

OR

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.

The prophets foretold

that you would bring peace to the world

and save your people.

Bring peace to our hearts,

and show God's love to all people.

Amen.

 

OR, a hymn verse (tune: LH 19 (TIS 295) or LH 36)

See how John prepares the way,

for the coming light of day.

As this candle shines its ray,

shine your love in us, we pray.

 

Third Sunday of Advent

 

John came to bear witness to the light,

so that all might believe through him.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

 

OR

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.

John the Baptist preached

that people should repent

and get ready for you to come.

Come into our hearts,

and help us to welcome you.

Amen.

 

OR, a hymn verse (tune: LH 19 (TIS 295) or LH 36)

Like this candle burning bright,

John bore witness to your light.

Come down now from heaven's height,

banish all the shades of night.

 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

To all who received the true light,

who believed in his name,

he gave power to become children of God.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

 

OR

Lord Jesus, light of the world,

we bless you for Gabriel who brought the good news;

we bless you for Mary, who became your mother.

Bless your church as it prepares for Christmas;

and bless us your children who long for your coming.

Amen.

 

OR, a hymn verse (tune: LH 19 (TIS 295) or LH 36)

Holy Spirit, come, we pray,

teach your servants to obey.

Shine on us your inward ray,

brighten darkness into day.

 

Christmas Eve

 

The Word became flesh and lived among us,

and we have seen his glory.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

 

OR

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world,

God from God, and light from light.

Thank you for coming to be with us.

Help us to shine with your light.

Amen.

 

OR, a hymn verse (tune: LH 19 (TIS 295) or LH 36)

Jesus, one with humankind,

heal my sight, by sin made blind.

As this light in darkness shines,

shine into this heart of mine.

 

JESSE TREE

Another visual activity for children to be involved in is the making of a Jesse tree. The Jesse tree is an American Catholic idea which has been found to be a good educational and decorative tool. A large tree is placed in the sanctuary on the First Sunday of Advent, and Sunday by Sunday new decorations are added which symbolise the ancestors of Jesus and the events leading up to his birth. The final symbol is the chi rho, which is mounted on the top of the tree on Christmas Eve. It is possible for this tree then to be redecorated as the Christmas tree (keeping the chi rho in the place usually kept for the star).

 

A selection of decorations can be taken from the following (used in this order):

Creation (stars, animals, earth); Fall (apple, serpent); Noah (ark, rainbow); Abraham (Mamre oak, stars); Isaac (ram, knife, altar); Jacob (ladder); Joseph (coloured coat); Moses (burning bush); Joshua (trumpet); Ruth (wheat); David (harp, star); Solomon (temple); Isaiah (scroll, coal); Gabriel (angel); Zechariah (incense); John the Baptist (water, baptismal shell, camel-hair coat); Simeon (light; sword and heart); Joseph (hammer); Mary (M symbol, lily) ; and finally, Jesus (chi rho).

 

SYMBOLS FOR ADVENT

The following symbols may be used for decoration during Advent, as the basis of banners or other decorations, or in bulletins.

 

Prophetic scroll. The scroll could be inscribed with the words, 'Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son'

Star of David (a six-pointed star)

Angel

Lilies (Virgin Mary). Traditionally lilies have been one of the most common symbols of Mary, especially from the twelfth century onward. In almost all pictures of the annunciation she is shown holding a lily. It is a symbol of virginity and purity, and hence of the virgin birth

Messianic rose. This symbol, which could also be used for Christmas, may consist of a five-petalled white rose. It is a symbol of the promised Messiah; see John 4:25, Isa 35:1, Song of Sol 2:1; also LHS 622* (TIS 294) 'Behold, a rose is growing' (*Modernised version available)

Sun of righteousness. This refers to Mal 4:2, and consists of a stylised sun, perhaps with a chi rho (or the word CHRIST) in its centre

Tau cross (with bronze snake). A type of the Saviour-Messiah to come; see Num 21:4-10

Symbols of John the Baptist - lamb with banner, baptismal shell, locust and bee or beehive, camel-hair coat

Symbols of coming new life - shoot growing from old stump, embryo in circle, coiled new fern frond (traditional Maori symbol of new life with a hint of the foetus). The latter two are particularly suitable for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, as the birth of Christ draws near

Symbols of Christ’s coming in word and sacrament - shell (with three drops of water), blue wavy waves, grapes and wheat, chalice and host, scroll or open Bible

Symbols of Christ’s coming again in glory - burning lamp (with jar of oil) (see Matt 25:1-13), trumpet(s), angels(s) with trumpet(s), cloud with lightning or rays of glory, crown.

 

 

DRAMA

 

For ideas involving drama and dramatisation, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Drama and Movement', in this folder. Note the suggestions concerning the Advent wreath above under 'Visual arts', 'Advent wreath'; note also the 'Advent proclamation' below.

 

 

CHILDREN

 

GENERAL

For guidelines and general ideas on involving children, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Involving children', in this folder. The lighting of the Advent candles is an example of a dramatic rite which can speak to all people, including children - provided it doesn't become too wordy or abstract.

 

ADVENT WREATH SONGS FOR CHILDREN

Together in Song has two songs, either of which the children could sing during the lighting of the candles, or which they could teach to the congregation. Note that these two songs give different emphases for each of the four Sundays of Advent.

 

* TIS 286 'Light one candle for hope'. Beginning with just the first verse, sung by the children and then repeated by the congregation, a new verse can be added each week during the lighting of the Advent wreath until the whole song is sung.

 

* TIS 289 'Christmas is coming'. The congregration could sing the chorus and the children sing first one verse, then an extra verse every week, as the candles are lit.

 

 

OTHER MATERIAL

 

ADVENT READINGS AND CAROLS SERVICE

See the document 'Advent readings and carols service' in the 'Rites and services' folder. This service may be used for an Advent evening at the beginning of Advent or at any time in the Advent season.

 

 

ADVENT PROCLAMATION

 

See the document 'Advent proclamation' in the 'Rites and services' folder for a presentation that could be used at an Advent evening or in the service of the First Sunday of Advent.