advent - december 1-24
The Season of Preparation & Waiting
first week of advent
Scriptures
- Isa 64:1-9a
- Ps 80
- 1 Cor 1:1-9
- Mark 13:24-37
Collect: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
second week of advent
Scriptures:
- Isa 40:1-11
- Ps 85
- 2 Pet 3:8-18
- Mark 1:1-8
Collect: Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
third week of advent
Third Sunday
Scripture:
- Isa 65:17-25
- Ps 126
- 1 Thess 5:12-28
- John 3:22-30 or John 1:19-28
Collect: O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may lifewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
forth week of advent
Scriptures
- 2 Sam 7:1-17
- Ps 132:1-19
- Rom 16:25-27
- Luke 1:26-38
Collect: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
advent traditions
Build Anticipation
- Use an Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, or Wandering Wisemen to follow the story of Christ and mark the progression of the season. Visit the Advent page HERE for more information.
- Consider using Advent to practice the spiritual disciplines of times of silence, fasting and/or giving as an individual or a family.
Sing
- Advent has Advent songs! These are very different from Christmas songs. These songs embody the Advent themes of prophecy, longing, anticipation and hope. Dive into the deep, rich treasury of Advent hymns and save Christmas music for Christmastide. This website has one song for each day of Advent.
Decorate
- Foster a sense of anticipation by decorating your home to prepare for Christmas. Make a banner with an Advent phase from a hymn or verse scrolled across it. Set up a Nativity set/Creche, but save adding baby Jesus for Christmas morning, and since Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the wise men, you could make them "travel" throughout the house from Advent until Epiphany (January 6.) If you set up a tree, consider getting it later in the season and decorating it slowly throughout Advent.
Feast Days
- Embrace & enjoy small glimpses of the Feast to come every Sunday, as well as feast days during the season, like St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) or St. Lucia’s Day (Dec. 13). Visit the Advent page HERE for more information.
More Advent Invitations HERE.
Church Calendar Resources
- Book of Common Prayer, 2019, ACNA
- Church Calendar Living channel on Slack
- Explore the All Saints Church Calendar section of our website
- Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen
- www.ashleytumlinwallace.com