Advent Week 1
Sunday November 29, 2020
This Advent, we are looking to hear some words of comfort, of challenge and of good news. The prophet Isaiah and the four Gospel authors were writing in a time when people needed desperately to hear all of these as well. This first week, Isaiah, the prophet, and Mark—the Gospel writer who published first—reassure the people that good news is beginning, and yet they both say, “Make yourself ready! Raise your voices, change your hearts, get ready to be transformed, because now is the time.” As we light this first candle of Hope, let us embrace hope that we can do what needs to be done to bring more light into the world.
Holy One,
we thank you for the glimpses we catch
of your gift of untiring hope.
Even in the midst of fear,
of challenge, of struggle–
even when our view is obscured
by clouds of doubt,
ignite the flame of hope within us,
that we might glow with its brilliance
from the inside out. Amen.
(Light the Candle of Hope.)
Read Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-15
Litany of Hope
In times when humanity disappoints,
perhaps when even our own thoughts and behaviors disappoint,
it is an important act to call out, name and claim the consequences of our wrongs. And in times of distress, it is a prophetic act to call out,
name and claim the belief in our hope for tomorrow, which is in Christ Jesus.
Hear these statements of belief from members of our own congregation:
When a pandemic has the world locked down,
and our spirits feel locked up,
We believe in God’s hope.
When life changes so quickly, when we are faced
with so much loss and injustice,
We believe in God’s hope.
When we feel stretched, or diminished and are so very tired of waiting,
We believe in God’s hope.
Give ear to your people, O God.
Let us not lose hope this Advent Season.
We place our hope in you and
turn our hearts once more to your coming.
Benediction
We wait for justice
but we do not wait to work for change;
We wait for restored health
but we do not wait to work towards healing;
We wait for wholeness
but we do not wait to work at binding brokenness;
We wait for peace
but we do not wait to work to eliminate hatred.
Go into your lives humming the tunes that keep that hope alive in you and that spur you on in your work of justice and reconciliation. Raise your voices and say, “Do not be afraid!” Amen!
Adapted from Worship Design Studio materials by Marcia McFee.
Used With Permission.
Read other Advent 2020 Devotionals or download the book as a PDF.