ANTICIPATE: Advent Week Two
Gentle Liturgies to create a moment to pause and reflect as we anticipate
Trees in the Desert. Light in the Darkness.
This week we are reflecting on the practice of anticipation. Holding anticipation is a challenging concept for us. While we often have things to anticipate, the act of choosing to stay there in the anticipation rather than grab for what we want is the act that sets us apart during this Advent season. To sit in anticipation is to embody hope when we yearn, instead, for satisfaction. This is the nature of Advent and what we are called to reflect on this week. What can we anticipate rather than satisfy? How can we be people of hope as we do?
There is no shortage of Advent studies these days. I encourage you to choose the one you prefer, or continue on in your readings as you have been all year. The liturgies below are short scripts of prayers and scripture and reflection for you to practice as you light advent candles throughout the coming weeks. There is a rhythm to liturgy that is beautiful. As you work your way through the coming weeks we will continue to recite and meditate on Isaiah 41:19-20. I have three liturgies for each week. Use them as you like. There is no such thing as being behind on Advent so wherever you find yourself tonight on this first night of Advent know that the waiting is always good.
Thank you for reading The Table with Jessica Herberger. I wrote these liturgies as a gift and would be so happy to have you share them with those you know.
Throughout Advent, every time we light an advent candle(s) we recite this scripture and prayer:
Advent Focus Scripture
Isaiah 41: 19-20
19 I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, 20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Advent Prayer
Just like the seeds found in the cones of junipers, fir and cypress trees, we see the hope of new life in the gift of Jesus. When we look at a pinecone, we are reminded of the promise of what is yet to be. The seeds buried deep within, requiring heat, warmth, even fire, to release them, remind us of the power of the light. May we see God’s hand at work as we look around us. May we see the trees in the desert. May we look for the light. May we slow down enough to consider and understand, to see and to know that God is with us.
Throughout Advent, every time we light an advent candle(s) we recite this scripture and prayer.
Welcome the Week Liturgy
Light one candle, recite Advent focus scripture and prayer (above).
Read aloud or to yourself:
This second week of advent we are called to consider Anticipating.
How can we be people of hope as we anticipate?
Isaiah 43: 18-21
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
While the world around us crashes into Christmas, we yearn to first be people of Advent, people of anticipating with hope. We trust in the Lord and have hope because of Him. We remember the new thing done through Christ and anticipate a time of rejoicing. We have hope because God made a way. Help us to be people of praise as we anticipate with hope. May we welcome Advent with glad hearts-waiting, anticipating, preparing, celebrating. Amen.
Mid-Week Liturgy
Light one candle, recite Advent focus scripture and prayer (above).
Read aloud or to yourself:
As we anticipate this week, may we welcome the reminder of how hard it is to stay present in anticipation. How thankful we are that it is Jesus, God with us, that is the source of our hope. May we anticipate the joy of his arrival, both the remembrance of his first arrival and with hopefilled hearts, his return.
Isaiah 43: 18-18
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. As you continue to move through this week of anticipating, prayerfully consider a new practice you can put into place to welcome anticipating.
Reflection Questions:
These can be shared aloud or journaled on your own.
What is a way you can build anticipation during this season of Advent?
(Consider listing out a few things to look forward to, make plans for something special the last week of December, create a countdown calendar, remember that the very act of anticipating is a way to infuse hope into your day.)
What is something you can do while you anticipate to remind you of the hope of Jesus?
(Plant something to remind you of the hope of the seed, read through the Messianic prophecies, as you feel rushed get in the practice of repeating the words “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” as a reminder of the hope we have.)
While the world rushes may we anticipate with hope offering God the praise. Amen.
End of Week Reflection
Light one candle, recite Advent focus scripture and prayer (above).
Read aloud or to yourself:
As we reflect on this week of anticipating we confess how easy it is to get swept up into the rush and hustle of the world around us. As we sit in anticipation, remembering that we have the joy of knowing the Messiah already, may we remember we are the ones who (soon) get to rejoice in his birth while we also long for his return. Help us to carry forward a posture of anticipation as we continue to sit in the beauty of Advent. May we be people of hope as we do.
Share with each other how the week of holding anticipation has gone. Reflect on how anticipating is a way you embodied hope this week. Share as you are led.
Close with this simple prayer:
Help us to carry forward a posture of anticipation as we continue to sit in the beauty of Advent. May we be people of hope as we do. Amen.
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