Liturgy for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C (Luke)
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There is something magnificent about the lighting of the first candle. Something special is taking place, especially as we see that there are other candles yet to be lit. We’ll have to wait, but in due time they too will be illumined.
Advent Liturgy Themes
The four Advent liturgies for each Sunday share common themes of preparation, hope, peace, joy, and love. These elements help us focus on the coming of Christ. Each liturgy invites us to prepare our hearts for Christ's arrival, creating an atmosphere of expectation.
Scripture passages in the prayers and assurances ground our worship in Scripture. This connection allows us to reflect on the meanings of hope, peace, joy, and love. Congregational responses help foster a sense of community, engaging everyone in the worship experience.
The liturgies are designed to build on each other, following the traditional Advent calendar. This progression deepens our understanding as we move through the season. Ultimately, these liturgies encourage us to reflect on our need for God’s grace and renew our spirits.
As we journey through Advent, may we embrace these themes and draw closer to God’s heart.
Call to Worship:
Leader: The season of waiting begins, as we look forward to the coming of Christ, our Savior.
People: In hope, we light the first candle, trusting in God’s promise to bring light into the darkness.
Leader: The prophet declares, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
People: We come, seeking the light of the Lord, to guide our way.
Leader: Let us prepare our hearts, our minds, and our lives for the coming of Christ.
People: Come, Lord Jesus, our hope and our salvation!
Prayer of Confession:
Merciful God, as we enter Advent, we confess we are not always ready for the coming of your Son. We get distracted by life’s busyness and forget to prepare our hearts. We let fear and doubt cloud our hope in you. Forgive us for turning away from your light. Renew our spirits, guide us back to your way, and help us to watch and wait for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon - Isaiah 9:2
Leader: Hear the promise from the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).
People: In Christ, the light of God has come to us.
Leader: Know that through the coming of Christ, we are forgiven and made whole.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer of Illumination:
Gracious God, as we open your Word, we ask for your Spirit to guide us. Help us to hear your voice and understand your truth. May your message speak to our hearts and shape our lives as we prepare for the coming of Christ. Lead us in your ways, that we may live in the light of your promises. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Loving God, we dedicate these gifts and our lives to you. May they be used for your glory and to further your kingdom. Amen.
Passages for the First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16
This passage expresses a promise of restoration and hope for the people of Israel and Judah. God declares that the time is coming when He will fulfill His covenant by raising up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will bring justice and righteousness to the land. This leader will bring safety and salvation, and Jerusalem will be known by the name “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Psalm 25:1-10
The psalmist lifts their soul to God, seeking guidance, protection, and forgiveness. They express deep trust in God, asking to be taught God’s ways and for deliverance from shame and enemies. The psalmist acknowledges God’s faithfulness and love toward those who follow His covenant, praying for mercy and remembering that God’s kindness and guidance are eternal
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Paul expresses joy and gratitude for the faithfulness of the Thessalonians and prays for their spiritual growth. He longs to see them again to help strengthen their faith, asking the Lord to increase their love for each other and for all people. Paul prays that their hearts will be made blameless and holy as they await the return of Jesus.
Luke 21:25-36
Jesus speaks of cosmic signs that will signal His return, urging His followers to stay alert and prepared. There will be distress among nations, with people fainting from fear, but those who are faithful should stand up and lift their heads because redemption is near. Jesus tells a parable of the fig tree, explaining that just as people recognize the changing seasons, they should also recognize the signs of the kingdom’s nearness and be ready at all times.
Themes for the First Sunday of Advent
God’s redemption and restoration
One theme is the promise of God’s redemption and restoration. In Jeremiah, God promises to raise a righteous leader from David’s line who will bring justice and salvation, fulfilling a covenant of hope. Similarly, in Luke, Jesus speaks of a time when cosmic signs will precede the coming of the kingdom, offering redemption to those who stay vigilant. Both passages highlight the assurance of God’s salvation plan unfolding in the future.
Trust and reliance on God
Another theme is the importance of trust and reliance on God. The psalmist in Psalm 25 places their full trust in God, seeking guidance and deliverance. This same trust is echoed in 1 Thessalonians, where Paul prays for the Thessalonians’ continued spiritual growth, confident in God’s ability to strengthen their faith. Both texts reflect a deep dependence on God’s guidance and provision in times of uncertainty.
Preparation and vigilance
A third theme is the call to be prepared and vigilant for the fulfillment of God’s promises. In Luke, Jesus warns His followers to stay alert for the signs of His return, emphasizing the need for constant readiness. Similarly, Paul in 1 Thessalonians prays that the hearts of the believers remain blameless and holy as they await the coming of the Lord. Both passages call for active spiritual preparedness in anticipation of God’s future intervention
Sermon Ideas for Advent 1
The Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 33:14-16) The preacher focuses on God’s promise of raising a righteous leader from David’s line, showing how it isn’t just a distant hope but a call to action today. Jeremiah’s prophecy points directly to Jesus, a leader who embodies justice and righteousness in ways that challenge us to rethink how we live. This message isn’t about waiting for some future fulfillment—it’s about recognizing how God’s promise is already shaping our world. The preacher urges us to see this as a living, active call to pursue justice and restoration, right now, in our own communities and lives.
Stand Up and Lift Your Head (Luke 21:25-36) The preacher focuses on Jesus’ call in Luke 21 for His followers to stay vigilant, urging them to stand up and lift their heads as redemption draws near. This isn’t a message of fear but of hope and readiness. The preacher challenges the congregation to reject complacency and live with expectation, not just waiting for signs of Christ’s return, but actively engaging with the world, knowing that God’s kingdom is breaking through even now. The call is clear: be alert, be prepared, and live with boldness, because God’s redemption is already at work.
