Advent Morning Liturgy

We light the Advent candles.

O God, you summon the day to dawn, you teach the morning to waken the earth. Great is your Name.

For your valleys shall sing for joy, the trees shall clap their hands. Wonderful is your Love.

For you the monarchs of the earth shall bow, the poor and persecuted shall shout for joy. Great is your Name.

Your love and mercy shall last for ever, fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise. Wonderful is your Love.

Let us pray.

Lord God, early in the morning, when the world was young, you made life in all its beauty and terror, you gave birth to all that we know. Hallowed be your name

Hallowed be your name.

Early in the morning, when the world least expected it, a newborn child crying in a cradle announced that you had come among us, that you were one of us. Hallowed be your name.

Early in the morning, surrounded by respectable liars, religious leaders, anxious statesmen and silent friends, you accepted the penalty for doing good, for being God: you shouldered and suffered the cross.

Hallowed be your name.

Early in the morning a voice in a guarded graveyard and footsteps in the dew

proved that you had risen, that you came back to those and for those who had forgotten, denied and destroyed you.

Hallowed be your name.

Early in the morning, in the multi-coloured company of your Church on earth and in heaven we celebrate your creation, your life, your death and resurrection, your interest in us: so to you we pray, Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired, new love where we have turned hard-hearted, forgiveness where we feel hurt and where we have wounded and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit, where we are prisoners of ourselves. Silence is kept.

To all and each

where regret is real,

God pronounces pardon

and grants us the right to begin anew. Thanks be to God! Amen! Readings you nourish us with your word, which is the bread of life.

Before the first reading

God of glory,

After the readings

In this is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Address and Reflection

A short address may be given.

The address may be followed by a time of reflection, either in silence

or with music playing.

This collect or the collect for the day is used

Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him,

who is our Lord and our God. Amen. The following response may be used

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

And at the end

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before your path, and make yo ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

• Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishop's Council 2000 A Wee Worship Book - Fifth Incarnation: © 2015 Wild Goose Resource Group