An Advent Dance

The dance below is an Entrance dance that may be used with the prayers centering around the Advent wreath. It is based on the well-known hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel … On the words "O Come, O Come … " the procession moves down the aisle, arms stretched in front, palms facing up. (Practice holding the arms out in such a way as to really feel them as an extension of the self seeking God.) … that mourns in lowly exile here … Leader with the wreath stops, and all the rest bow from the waist, lowering arms. (At this point in the third verse, the sequence is changed. See later directions.) … until the son of God appear. All raise their bodies and lift up arms as before. (Chorus) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel … A double line separates as everyone turns to face his or her partner while taking a big step backward, opening arms wide to the sides in a joyful manner. A pathway is thus formed through which the leader dances with the wreath. (It is easy to improvise with a wreath in one's hands. Show it off, turning from side to side in a spirit of delight.) The leader must be at the head of the line again in time for the next words. … shall come to thee, O Israel. The leader continues dancing in front as the rest link right elbows with their partners, raise their free arms, and swing around one time in the center of the aisle. They end with their arms down by their sides, in original lines. Repeat the entire sequence described so far, progressing toward the altar while the assembly sings the second verse and chorus. By the beginning of the third verse, the leader places the wreath on a table and the double line separates to the left and right and encircles the table, leaving out the bowing. By the beginning of the third chorus, all are standing still, facing the table. Chorus—third time). Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel … On "Rejoice, rejoice," all take a step toward the altar, holding hands and lifting arms up. On "Emmanuel" all back away, lowering arms, releasing hands, and then lifting arms back out to the side. … shall come to thee, O Israel. All turn in place, arms lifted. Pause. The minister lights the first candle (on second week he or she lights the second candle, etc.) and says a prayer for Advent. The minister then joins the group, and they all circle around the table, hands joined, as the next verse is sung or simply hummed. The chorus movements are repeated as before (stepping toward the altar, arms raised, etc.), and all then slowly file off to their places in the assembly as a final verse and chorus is sung.