A picture is worth a thousand words. Anticipating, waiting, Babies born, baubles glistening, poor and rich arriving, Holding onto hope, hoping for peace — images of Advent and Christmas through global eyes and a creative lens. All photos posted on the Worship Words website may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please credit the […]
Read full textAdvent 1A
Mysterious Paradoxes, a Christmas reflection — Lauren Mallaby, Australia
Mysterious paradoxes collide in this story. A story of a baby, Born into nothing, Yet born into everything. Born in a shed, But born in love, And is love And brings love. The paradox of a young woman, Not yet wedded, Blessed to bring life, Into this world that needs life Needs hope Requires love. […]
Read full textWinter Prayer: God’s Timing — Ted Loder
God of all seasons and senses, grant us the sense of your timing to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons. In this season of short days and long nights, of grey and white and cold, teach us the lessons of endings; children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying, grieving over, […]
Read full textChristmas Hope — William Stephenson, USA
O God, At the darkest time of the year comes the brightest of Hope. Let the gladness of its coming and the hope of its promise be warm within us. To embrace this Hope is to believe that someday there shall be A world of goodwill from which all cruelty is gone. A world in […]
Read full textAdvent
What words herald the Advent season? Familiar? New? Light-hearted? Reflective? Confessional? Hopeful? Here are Advent worship resources from around the world to explore and use. Scroll down to find: Advent prayers and worship resources Advent songs, carols & music Complete services, Dramas, Nativities and Christmas Pageants Link to Advent images Blue Christmas resources Advent prayers […]
Read full textHope — Marcy Gansler Hauser, USA
I remember thinking to myself that losing my son could be a cloud over the rest of my life, or he could be the light in my life. I made a conscious decision to hope. Hope is what gets us out of bed each morning. Hope is what has us peering around the corner to […]
Read full textBecause of Mary — William Stephenson, USA
Because of Mary – an Advent reflection Because of Mary all class, all castes, all hierarchical systems are now undermined. Because of Mary the world can no longer categorize someone as being worthless or worth less than somebody else. Because of Mary the Christmas story is for little ones and the poor… the victims of […]
Read full textPeace on Earth, an Advent Prayer — Allen Myrick, USA
Peace on earth, good will toward all. — Luke 2:14 The Dayspring from on high hath visited us…to guide our feet into the way of peace. — Luke 1:78-79 ‘Peace on earth,’ the angels sang. We sing it too, in carols, oratorios. We talk of peace, put it on bumper stickers, print it on Christmas […]
Read full textChristmas Conception — Jim Burklo, USA
A cool clear dawn in early spring: She stepped outside to fill her jug With water from the village well. “What is happening to my feet?” She whispered as she walked along. They’d never felt so full of life… They seemed to float above the ground. And up her legs and through her thighs A […]
Read full textImages of the Divine, Annunciation & Nativity — Antonia Rolls, UK
Antonia writes of her paintings: ‘paintings that combine the divine with the mundane. I love the idea of taking a little sideways look at Christianity, and bringing the idea of Jesus and faith into our every day lives with a sense of humour. 1. the Male Madonna. If you change the gender of the holder […]
Read full textHope — Pope Francis, VC
‘For the great human family, it is necessary to renew always the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope!’
Read full textAdvent hymns unpacked, Words Matter — Jane Clements, UK
O come, O come, Emmanuel And with your people always dwell Who mourn in mortal exile here Until the Lord of Life appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come again and with us ever dwell –lyrics by Philip Cunningham ‘Why does all this matter? It matters because what we sing is as important as what we […]
Read full textSeason of thin spaces — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA
This is indeed a holy season. This is a season of light shining in the shadows. And the shadows will not overcome it. This is a season where we allow God to light hope, peace, joy and love on the wicks of our lives. This is a season of thin spaces where the distance between […]
Read full textDo not be afraid, Advent reflection, Matthew 1:18-21 — Debbie Haseman, USA
Matthew 1:18-21 — Joseph’s Dream How often do you hear a voice telling you to not be afraid? Maybe it isn’t a “voice” exactly, but maybe more like a sense of something bigger than yourself. We live in times where there is much to fear. And, yet, I often find myself wondering about all times. […]
Read full textAdvent among a troubled, fearful time — Priscilla Gifford, USA
Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore God will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.’ – Isaiah 7: 13-14 Here we are […]
Read full textChristmas Carol, The Birth of a Baby — George Stuart, Australia
A Christmas Carol for Today Tune: The Ash Grove The birth of a baby Can kindle just maybe A spark of compassion for all humankind. At Christmas we wonder, Amazed as we ponder A sight that stirs love in our heart and our mind. A babe so dependent, A human descendant, So fragile and helpless […]
Read full textMeasuring Time, an Advent reflection — Angie Combs, USA
An Advent Reflection 525,600 minutes. The opening song to the Broadway musical “Rent” tells us that in a single year, there are 525,600 minutes. The song then asks, how do you measure a year? Is it in daylights? Sunsets? Midnights? Cups of coffee? Inches? Miles? Laugher? Smiles? Psalm 90 talks about time, both our own […]
Read full textFrom darkness to light: the Advent procession –Salisbury Cathedral, UK
This annual service, ‘From Darkness to Light’, held in Salisbury Cathedral starts in complete darkness. A single candle is lit, and the light spreads throughout the cathedral until hundreds of lights burn brightly illuminating the vastness. These words from the programme set the scene: “The darkness is at one and the same time a comforting […]
Read full textAdvent vestry prayer — UK
Bless us this advent Sunday. Thank you for the joy we find spending time with one another as the excitement of Jesus’s birth becomes infectious. Bless us and those taking part in the service and give them courage, peace and strength to overcome any nerves. Let us celebrate this special Sunday together as the family […]
Read full textPsalm 122, contemporary versions — Zambia & UK
The first three contemporary versions of Psalm 122, variations on a theme, were written collaboratively by groups of theology and ministry students at the United Church of Zambia University, Mindolo. The fourth version arises from the United Kingdom. Psalm 122 is a reading for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A. Psalm 122 — arising […]
Read full textPsalm 122 — Zambia’s voice
I was filled with great happiness when I was called to go to church. What sweet fellowship we find in you O wonderful house of God built on a solid foundation. You grant to us a sweet time of prayer, despite our different languages and cultures. There is justice in your presence. All people enjoy […]
Read full textAdvent reflection from a young mother — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA
Eternal One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, From everlasting to everlasting You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 Bright eyes take in all the world. Tiny hands wave and reach and hold. Feet kick and push. […]
Read full textLas Posadas, Seeking room in the inn, song — Jim Burklo, USA
Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of children and other members of the community carrying candles. A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way. Las Posadas — Jim Burklo, […]
Read full textBlue Christmas Prayer — Fiona Hulbert, UK
Our God, we gather together in the bleak midwinter. Those who have much to thank you for, who rejoice in your goodness, and those who look out on a landscape of broken dreams and hardly dare to hope for Good News. Those whose hearts and homes are full of Christmas joy, and those whose Christmas […]
Read full textHope Haiku — Loey Powell, USA
Hope when pressed to earth Will find nourishment and life In truths long buried.
Read full textOn waiting — T.S. Eliot
“I said to my soul, be still and wait without hope, for hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love, for love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith, but the faith and the love are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not ready […]
Read full textAdvent Devotional — Joanna Hipp, Presbyterians for Earth Care, USA
This beautiful and thoughtful Advent devotional has been shared through the generosity of Presbyterians for Earth Care. Download a PDF copy in full colour: 2018-Advent-Devotional-Presbyterians for Earth Care, USA Presbyterians for Earth Care have created thoughtful and challenging, as well as beautiful, Advent and Lenten devotionals for several years. Click here to explore their archive […]
Read full textAdvent Prayer — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA
Holy God, during this busy season of Advent, We pray for our World. We seek your light in the midst of darkness, Your peace in the midst of violence, Your love in the midst of discord, Your courage in the face of fear, And your wisdom to guide us. Help us to be messengers […]
Read full textCafe Church, Open Table service — Are Angels still speaking?
This ready-to-use Café Church worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion. It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list of supplies, […]
Read full textLight a little candle, Matthew 2:1-2– Jeremy McLeod, Colorado USA
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ — Matthew 2:1-2 Light a […]
Read full textCafe Church, Open Table service – Advent
This ready-to-use Café Church worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion. It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list of supplies, […]
Read full textHope, Luke 3:5-6 — Kay Lowe-Wendling, USA
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. — Luke 3: 5-6 Every valley shall be filled: may our low places, our wrong doings of the past, […]
Read full textPrayer of thanks — unknown writer
I desire to be still and know that you are God! To marvel in the miracle of you becoming flesh! To be continually mindful that you are a light of revelation to me! That you are alive and active in me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Read full textThinking like Zechariah, Luke 1:11-15 — Eleanor A Hubbard, USA
A reflection for Advent Luke 1:11-15a But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son… . I can commiserate with Zechariah. I’m doing my work at the temple and a strange being comes and says don’t be afraid. […]
Read full textHome, Luke 2:4 — Amelia Dress, USA
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. — Luke 2:4 We all long to find a real home: the place where our pasts and our futures intersect. As we metaphorically journey through […]
Read full textWhat I do and do not believe — A Statement of Faith for a Blue Christmas service — Loren Richmond, USA
Written for a Longest Night (21 December) service in Colorado, USA God is with us in our suffering, loving us, walking with us, comforting us. I do not believe God is the cause or author of such suffering, I do not believe God “allows” bad things to happen. I can’t imagine why God would “allow” […]
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