Monday, November 23, 2009

An Alternative to Advent Candles

Advent 1
The baptismal font is placed in a prominent position. A jug of water stands nearby.
Then [Jesus] told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:29-31 NRSV)

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On this first Sunday of Advent,
we pour some water
in the name of the One who comes—
bringing God’s reign
into our lives and into our world
renewing and refreshing us,
disturbing and challenging us,
calling us outward into God’s mission
and forward into God’s future.
We wait in hope for the One who comes.

The people sing (Tune: “Light One Candle” Together in Song 286):
Pour some water for hope,
just some water for hope.
Christ is hope for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!
For congregations where appropriate: try adding actions (e.g. being a jug of water like “I’m a little teapot”).

Advent 2
The baptismal font is placed in a prominent position. A jug of water stands nearby. With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the first Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
as we wait in hope for God’s future.

[John] went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” (Luke 3:3-4 NRSV)

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On this second Sunday of Advent,
we pour some water
in the name of the One who comes—
reconciling the whole creation with God
and with each other,
bringing peace with justice
and life in all it fullness,
calling us together as the people of God,
and onward as agents for reconciliation
We long for the peace of the One who comes.

The people sing (Tune: “Light One Candle” Together in Song 286):
Pour some water for hope,
just some water for hope.
Christ is hope for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for peace,
just some water for peace.
Christ brings peace for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!
For congregations where appropriate: try adding actions (e.g. being a jug of water like “I’m a little teapot”).

Advent 3
The baptismal font is placed in a prominent position. A jug of water stands nearby. With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.

On the first Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
as we wait in hope for God’s future.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the second Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who brings peace and reconciliation.

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:15-16 NRSV)


With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On this third Sunday of Advent,
we pour some water
in the name of the One who comes—
celebrating God’s purpose
and revealing God’s being,
loving and giving,
laughing and sharing,
calling us to the feast of life
and wonder of God’s freedom.
We anticipate the joy of the One who comes.

The people sing (Tune: “Light One Candle” Together in Song 286):
Pour some water for hope,
just some water for hope.
Christ is hope for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for peace,
just some water for peace.
Christ brings peace for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for joy,
Living Water of joy.
Christ is coming with celebration—new life, peace, hope and joy.
Christ brings joy for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!
For congregations where appropriate: try adding actions (e.g. being a jug of water like “I’m a little teapot”).

Advent 4
The baptismal font is placed in a prominent position. A jug of water stands nearby. With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the first Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
as we wait in hope for God’s future.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the second Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who brings peace and reconciliation.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the third Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who comes with joy and celebration.

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49 NRSV)

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent,
we pour some water
in the name of the One who comes—
enfolding all creation into God’s loving embrace,
heedlessly loving for love’s sake,
calling us to tend God’s creation with care
and love God’s people with persistence.
We celebrate God’s gracious love shown to us in Jesus Christ.

The people sing (Tune: “Light One Candle” Together in Song 286):
Pour some water for hope,
just some water for hope.
Christ is hope for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for peace,
just some water for peace.
Christ brings peace for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for joy,
Living Water of joy.
Christ is coming with celebration—new life, peace, hope and joy.
Christ brings joy for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for love,
lots of water for love.
Christ brings love for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!
For congregations where appropriate: try adding actions (e.g. being a jug of water like “I’m a little teapot”).

Christmas
The baptismal font is placed in a prominent position. A jug of water stands nearby. With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the first Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
as we wait in hope for God’s future.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the second Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who brings peace and reconciliation.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the third Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who comes with joy and celebration.

With large, strong movements, some water from the jug is poured into the font.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent,
we poured some water
in the name of the One who comes—
the One who reveals God’s gracious love.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11 NRSV)


With large, strong movements, water is flung from the font over the congregation.
Today we celebrate the One who has come and is coming—
the one who is our hope, our life, our joy, our salvation;
the one who brings peace, justice and reconciliation;
the one who reveals to us God’s gracious love
more fully than anything else ever known to God’s creation.
And we remember that we have been enfolded into Christ
as the people of God, the communion of the Spirit, the body of Christ,
and that we are called to proclaim and embody Christ in our world.

The people sing (Tune: “Light One Candle” Together in Song 286):
Pour some water for hope,
just some water for hope.
Christ is hope for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for peace,
just some water for peace.
Christ brings peace for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for joy,
Living Water of joy.
Christ is coming with celebration—new life, peace, hope and joy.
Christ brings joy for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Pour some water for love,
lots of water for love.
Christ brings love for everyone.
O Christ, come soon!

Christ, our Saviour, has come!
Living Water o’erflows.
Love, Joy, Peace and Hope abound.
Glory to God!
For congregations where appropriate: try adding actions (e.g. being a jug of water like “I’m a little teapot”).

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