Opening litany for Advent 3

Pastor: We have looked at the How of Advent with Hope coming into the world symbolized by the lighting of the first Candle of Hope. We have looked into the How of Advent with Justice and Peace coming into the world symbolized by the lighting of the second Candle of Peace. Today we celebrate the Who of Advent with Joy coming into the world by remembering that the Lord called not only Mary, but you and I, to help bring about this God vision of what the world should be.

Opening Litany based on the Magnificat from Luke 1:39-55

Pastor: At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said:

Congregation: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

Pastor: The mercy God extends to those who live in awe of the Lord, from generation to generation. The Lord has performed mighty deeds with his arm and has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Congregation: The Lord has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

Pastor: Today we light the third candle of Advent, the Candle of Joy, as we remember the Joy that fills our lives as we live our the calling of our Lord to be the bringers of the message of Hope and Peace into the world.

Light the 3rd Advent Candle of Joy

Congregation: Joy comes not only when we remember, but when we participate in what the Lord has done in Mary’s life, and in our lives. The Lord has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

Pastor: The Lord has helped his servant Israel and all those called to be the children of God remembering to be merciful and calling us to be merciful in our lives.

Congregation: We will live lives showing mercy to Abraham and all his descendants, represented by all the sands of earth and all the stars in the heavens forever. For all are called to be the children of God just as he promised our ancestors.”