Advent 3: The Candle of Joy

The third of Advent Candle Liturgies we are using this year at Belfast South Methodist, based on the work of Rev. Mary Whitson, for the Canadian Presbyterian Church's World Service & Development Department.

Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 51: 11 (NIV-UK)

Joy is the celebration of the dawning of the light of the world.

Joy is the celebration of the coming of the Christ Child.

Joy is the celebration when the angels sang

“Glory to God in the highest.”

Let us celebrate and sing and shout for joy.

Christ is coming again.

(The candle is lit.)

Source of light, shine in our lives and in your world

with your life-giving joy.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Shalom

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