Open Advent Wreath Liturgy: Week 1 (Hope)
Open Advent Candle Liturgy
An Advent candle wreath is a traditional practice of the Advent season. Advent wreaths can take many forms, but often they are a circle of 4 candles, sometimes with a 5th in the center. At Open each week, we’ll light a candle reminding of the character and promises of God through Jesus in this special season. If you would like to participate each week in your own way, you can use the liturgies below written by Krystal Stroud. May the light of this season remind us of the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love we find in the God who is with us.
Week 1 (HOPE):
At the beginning of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of the Hope that God renews in us. We hope for what’s to come and may this light remind us that God’s light brings hope in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.
+ Come, thou long-expected Jesus, into the body of the global Church and make us a justice-centered community that uplifts the oppressed and loves the vulnerable, so that all may experience your message of hope, and know that your blanket of love has always covered them.
+ Come, with your Holy Spirit, into the hearts of those who are grieving, who are unemployed, who are abused, who are sick, who are burnt-out, who are heart-broken, far from home, isolated, lonely, who are marginalized and silenced, and awaken hope.
+ Come to us, Holy Comforter, with your bright light of hope that has been drawing us all toward you and toward each other. May your light of hope spread far and wide as we begin our advent journey.
*Light Hope Candle*
God of Hope, as we begin our Advent journey, grant us the courage to hope. Give us strength for today and bright hope for a better tomorrow. Let us find our rest in You. Amen.