Archives: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? #3Household Services |
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- Introduction
- First Sunday of Advent
- Second Sunday of Advent
- Third Sunday of Advent
- Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Christmas Eve
- Sunday After Christmas
- Epiphany
HOUSEHOLD SERVICES
Introduction
The following household services are designed for weekly use beginning the first week in Advent and ending with Epiphany. Individuals, families or other groups are encouraged to set aside a certain day each week to do the service. You will need to bring to the service your Bible, your Advent wreath and matches. See the Household Activities section of this booklet for instructions on making an Advent wreath. You may wish to read George Johnson's Biblical Reflections for each week following reading the lectionary text or before the service begins.
These services are based on the Seder tradition of asking questions and giving responses in order to remember important events. To remember we must ask what the season means and what we can do.
For the First Sunday in Advent
When Hurt and Hope Embrace
QUESTION: What are we doing?
RESPONSE: We are preparing for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have made this Advent wreath to remind us of hope. Today we light the first Advent candle. (Light the candle.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Isaiah 63:1664:8 and Matthew 13:32-37.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can remember those whose hopes have been realized, like the people of Berlin who have seen the breaking down of barriers. We can also remember those who continue to hope for something better, like those in Israel and Northern Ireland who still wait and hope. Let us consider how we talk as individuals in the community, how we create barriers by excluding people, how we prevent good deeds because they are not practical. Let us seek to give hope to others.
PRAYER: Dearest God, You have called us - together in this place. We have hopes realized and hopes to realize. We as individuals and the community have ignored the voices and hopes of others through lack of thought. Help us to change and be more open to the needs and desires of others. Help us as we remember the coming of our Lord who remembers all our needs and hopes. Amen.
For the Second Sunday in Advent
Confession and Conversion
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready to celebrate the time when our Lord came to earth. To do this we must be more aware of the things we do that are not in keeping with His teaching. We must be aware that we can change for the better. We are ashamed of some things we do. It helps to share these things with other people. Then we can celebrate no longer ashamed. Today we light the first Advent candle and we light one candle more. (Light two candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Isaiah 40:111 and Mark 1:1-8.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can look closely at specific sin in our lives. We can look to see how our greed impacts us and those around us. By sharing our sin with someone close to us, we can come to Christmas as new people freed from guilt.
For the Third Sunday in Advent
Saying Yes and Saying No
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready for Christmas. We are considering how we may bring God's justice so that it is possible for all to know God's goodness and freedom. Today we light the first two Advent candles and we light one candle more. (Light three candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Isaiah 61:14, 8-11 and John 1:6-8, 19-28.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: Let us, like John, prepare the way for Jesus. Let us remember those in our world and in our communities who do not know justice and are prevented from seeing God's goodness. There are people who are blinded by a need to make money. There are governments who try to prevent people from hearing God's word. Let us act as individuals, families and communities for justice. Then we will prepare a path for God's word to be heard and Christ's message to be acted upon.
PRAYER: Gracious God, you love us as we are, but because we love you we want to be more like you. Help us to confess our wrong and overcome it. Help us to continue sharing and changing. May we celebrate more fully the wonder of your coming as the weeks go on. Amen.
PRAYER: Almighty God, help us to remove injustice where we find it. Help us to put our faith in your coming. Following the example of John the Baptist, may we be witnesses to the true light that gives light to every person.' Amen.
For the Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Impossible is Possible
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are preparing for Christmas. We remember that God is the God of all people -- male and female; rich and poor; black, white, Asian .... Today we light the first three Advent candles and we light one candle more. (Light four candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Luke 1:26-38 and II Samuel 7:1-16.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can remember that God chose Mary, a young woman, and David, a powerful King, to bring his message to many people. Let us at this time remember how everyone can be used by God. We all are equal before God. We all are God's children. Let us remember God our parent as both father and mother to us all.
PRAYER: Most loving God, help us to understand that you see us as equals. Help us to use all our gifts to serve you. Help us to nurture and provide for others as parents care for their children and as you care for us.
For Christmas Eve
Rejection and Acceptance
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are preparing for Christmas. We realize that by accepting the coming of Jesus, we are required to make decisions that affect our lives. Today we re-light the four Advent candles and we light one candle more, the Christ candle. (Light all of the candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Isaiah 52:710 and John 1:1-14.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: When we hear the good news of Jesus' birth, we can remember that Jesus came to change things, that Jesus came to bring an end to the gap between God and the people God made. For four weeks we have been looking forward to this celebration. Let us decide to say yes to all the things Christmas means to us as Christians. We have a chance to hope, a chance to ask forgiveness, a chance to think about justice, and a duty to nurture our love. Let us not use Christmas as an excuse to satisfy ourselves through the use of money and material things.
PRAYER: God of the universe, we thank you for the gift of your son and the chance to say yes to all that his birth meant, means, and will mean to all humanity then, now and for time eternal.
For the First Sunday after Christmas;
Living In Expectation
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are continuing to celebrate the birth of our Lord. We are still filled with joy as we look forward to a new year serving Jesus. Today we re-light the four Advent candles and the Christ candle to remind us that the message of Christmas continues throughout the year.
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Jeremiah 31:1013 and Luke 2:22-40.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: Like Simeon, we can bless Jesus' work and continue His ministry. We can remember in our prayers the work of Christ's church in our nation and all over the world.
PRAYER: Blessed Lord, help us to be like Simeon, to recognize and worship Jesus as Lord and Savior. May the message that came to the world at Christmas still be heard today. Grant us your blessing and help us to share our blessings with those in need. Amen.
For Epiphany
Becoming the Star
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are celebrating Epiphany. We, like the wise men, have followed the star and have found the baby Jesus. We remember the arrival of the Good News of Christ into this world. Today, for the last time, we re-light the four Advent candles and the Christ candle. (Light all of the candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can read and listen. (Read Isaiah 60:16 and Matthew 2:1-12.)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can remember that we, as a part of Christ's church, are the star that people look to. Like the wise men, others will follow the star as they seek Jesus. By doing things that do not show Jesus' love, we create clouds that can hide the star and confuse the journeys of others.
PRAYER: Glorious God, help us to shine clearly like stars on a frosty night to the glory of the one we love and who loves us. Help us to lead others to your son Jesus Christ. Like the wise men, may we follow your vision out into the world. Amen.
The Household Services were contributed by Rev. Stuart R. Fulton, Church of Scotland, Ayr, Scotland.
Many More Interesting Christmas Articles
Page updated 22 October 2012
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