Litany for Advent Candle Lighting

First Advent – Hope–Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world of where so many despair,
God lights a candle of hope in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.    Psalm 65:5

Second Advent – Peace –Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many experience violence,
God lights a candle of peace in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us, 
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Luke 1: 78, 79

Third  Advent – Love–Pink Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many experience hatred,
God lights a candle of love in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.   John 3:16

Fourth Advent – Joy–Purple Candle

Reader 1: In a world where so many are sorrowful,
God lights a candle of joy in our hearts.
We wait together for a Saviour,
who will be Immanuel, Christ the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2:  “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.” Romans 15:12

Christ Candle for Christmas Eve

Reader 1: [lights purple candle]
In a world of where so many despair,
God lights a candle of hope in our hearts.

Reader 2: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.    Psalm 65:5

Reader 1:[lights purple candle]
In a world where so many experience violence,
God lights a candle of peace in our hearts.

Reader 2: By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us, 
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Luke 1: 78, 79

Reader 1: [lights pink candle]
In a world where so many experience hatred,
God lights a candle of love in our hearts.

Reader 2: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.   John 3:16

Reader 1: [lights purple candle]
In a world where so many are sorrowful,
God lights a candle of joy in our hearts.

Reader 2:  “The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.” Romans 15:12

Reader 1: [lighting the white Christ candle]
In a world where so many wait in darkness,
light comes into our hearts
through a baby born in a manger!
He is Immanuel, Christ the Lord!
Hear the word of the Lord:

Reader 2:
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Readers 1 & 2: The light shines and the darkness cannot put it out!!

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

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