The Season Of Advent

Introduction To Advent Worship

Advent is the time of preparation for the birth of Christ. Historically, however, Advent was not the beginning of the Christian year, but the end. The original themes of Advent focused on the second coming of Jesus. Gradually Advent also came to mean preparing for the coming of Christ. Today we inherit both themes: the end of the Christian year and the expectation of the second coming of Christ as well as the beginning of the Christian year and the expectancy of the birth of Christ, the Redeemer. These themes are developed in the entries that follow.

1. The Origins Of Advent Worship
2. The Spiritual Journey Of Advent Worship
3. The Penitential Character Of Advent Worship

Resources For Planning Advent Worship

Planning Advent worship is a great challenge, given its short duration and the rich and varied resources that are available. The following entries present a collection of such resources, ranging from texts appropriate for reading and praying to artistic contributions to Advent worship. These range from centuries-old hymns and symbols to prayers written especially for this resource.

1. Lectionary Texts For Advent
2. Lighting The Advent Candle
3. The "o" Antiphons
4. Traditional Opening Prayers For Advent
5. Prayers For Advent Worship
6. Advent Canticles
7. An Advent Affirmation Of Faith
8. Prayer Of Thanksgiving For Advent Eucharist
9. Advent Blessings

The Arts In Advent Worship

Advent is a season for seeing, hearing, touching, imagining. Advent Scripture readings are filled with evocative images and Advent anticipation has inspired some of the most cherished music in the Christian church. Every tradition of Christian worship has developed meaningful ways of leading Advent worship through the arts. This section presents several ideas for incorporating the arts into Advent worship.

1. Perspectives On The Environment For Advent Worship
2. A Sample Advent Banner
3. The Advent Wreath
4. An Anthology Of Hymns And Songs For Advent
5. An Advent Dance

Sample Advent Services

This section features three sample services for the Sundays of Advent and two occasional services that may be held during Advent. The full texts of the Sunday services are presented along with commentary that articulates the theological and liturgical rationale for the various acts of worship and describes the non-textual dimensions of the services. Planners may adapt the entire service or parts of the service into a form suitable for their congregation. These texts and commentaries may also be used for study by liturgical planners or educational ministries in local congregations.

1. A Traditional Service For Advent Part I
2. A Traditional Service For Advent Part II
3. A Creative Service For Advent
4. A Convergence Service For Advent
5. The Service Of Nine Lessons And Carols
6. A Service For The Hanging Of The Greens