This is a series of five Advent (and Christmas Eve) Candle-Lighting Litanies I wrote for use with the hymn “View the Present Through the Promise” (lyrics by Thomas H. Troeger; set to FRANKLIN PARK by Roy Hopp), which can be found in Lift Up Your Hearts (#470) and Sing! A New Creation (#90). We sang the hymn as a response to each litany. Each week’s litany is based on the Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Year B so it is especially appropriate for that liturgical year.
“View the Present Through the Promise”
Advent Candle-Lighting Litany for use with
“View the Present Through the Promise” (Lift Up Your Hearts #470)
Lyrics by Thomas Troeger
For RCL Year B
First Week of Advent (Be Alert)
Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
People: What does God promise us?
Leader: God is faithful. He will keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Leader: Keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour. Be on guard! Be alert!
People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be alert. Hold fast to God’s promise. For although the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give light, God will keep us firm through the end.
People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”
Second Week of Advent (Be Holy)
Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
People: What does God promise us?
Leader: God is faithful. The glory of the LORD—a new heaven and a new earth—will be revealed and all people will see it together.
People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Leader: Live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God
People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be holy. God is not slow in keeping his promise. He is patient, for he wants everyone to come to repentance. Although the day of God will bring destruction, we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth.
People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”
Third Week of Advent (Be Joyful)
View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
People: What does God promise us?
Leader: The God who calls you is faithful. He will reward his people and make an everlasting covenant with them. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Leader: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.
People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be joyful. Hold fast to God’s promise. He will bestow on us a crown of beauty, the oil of joy and a garment of praise.
People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”
Fourth Week of Advent (Be Not Afraid)
Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
People: What does God promise us?
Leader: God is faithful. The kingdom of Jesus, the Son of David, will be established forever.
People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Leader: Do not be afraid. For no word from God will ever fail.
People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to be not afraid. God’s faithfulness is established forever. Just as fulfilled his promises with the birth of Jesus Christ, so he will keep his promise that Christ will come again.
People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”
Christmas Eve (Worship the Lord)
Leader: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
People: What does God promise us?
Leader: God is faithful. And so we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
People: What can we do to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Leader: Worship the Lord. Say among the nations: The Lord reigns. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
People: We will trust despite the deepening darkness. Christ will come again!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to worship the Lord, who was once a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. He will appear again in even greater glory.
People: View the present through the promise. Christ will come again!
Hymn of Response: “View the Present Through the Promise”
“View the Present Through the Promise” Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy Series by David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.