Advent Home Worship

Daily Order for Candle Lighting

The candles are lighted.

Read the antiphon for the week (below).

Say:                             O Gracious Light

     O gracious Light,

     Pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven,

     O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

     Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

     And our eyes behold the vesper light,

     We sing your praises, O God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

     You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

     O Son of God, O Giver of life,

     And to be glorified through all the worlds.

Read the verse of the day on the calendar.

Reflect on the Word of the Day. What thoughts come to mind? Is there action you want to take? Are there things you want to pray for?

Pray the prayer of the week (below) and add your own prayers as well.

Pray a closing prayer for peace.

Week 1           Watch.

Antiphon:        It is now time for us to wake from sleep.
                                    The night is far spent; the light draws near.

Prayer:             Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. As darkness falls, may we watch for your light. Keep us awake and alert to your coming and strengthen us to the end, that we may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Week 2           Wait

Antiphon:        The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
                                    Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

Prayer:             Stir up our hearts O Lord, to prepare the way for the coming of your Son. Give us courage and faith to proclaim in word and deed the good news of your coming even as we wait in patience for that day when Christ will come again. Amen

Week 3           Wonder

Antiphon:        Lift up your heads. Look with wonder.
                                    The king of glory comes.

Prayer:             Stir up our hearts in wonder, O God. May we wear a mantle of praise as we delight in your gift of salvation, in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen'

Week 4           Worship

Antiphon:  To the only wise God, through Jesus
Be all glory forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer:             Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. May we, with Mary, sing your praises and magnify your name. As we worship, renew our vision that we may do your will. In your name we pray.  Amen.