Alive Now Extended

The light has come! The grace of God has truly appeared. The Christ Child — the infant King — has ruptured the veil of darkness and true hope, eternal hope, has come. And Glory’s hope will be declared among the nations; his goodness and light are for all. Glory to God in the highest.

Dear Lord of Light,
Shine your hope into every heart this Christmas day. As we enjoy the festivities of this most bright day, let us be mindful of those whose hope wanes, for those who have fled home and are fleeing, for those who seek refuge. Keep with us each day the joy of the Christ Child as he beckons our hearts to rise up in compassion for the fleeing.

Amen.

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Suggested Hymns

Once in Royal David’s City 250 UMH*

*The United Methodist Hymnal (© 1986 The United Methodist Publishing House).

As this Advent candle glows before us, we are reminded of the Shepherd’s warmth and love for his flock, a flock scattered across the earth. We are thankful that the Shepherd has filled his sheep with “good things,” and long for the day when the flock will be drawn together into the Shepherd’s warmth.

Dear Lord of the flock,

As we watch for the return of the Good Shepherd, we thank you for abundant faithfulness to your global flock. Cause us, God, to join your shepherding heart in care and concern for those who have fled home and hearth.

Amen.

Scripture Readings

Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:47-55
or Psalm 80:1-7
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Suggested Hymns

Star-Child 2095 TFWS*

*The Faith We Sing (© 2000 Abingdon Press).

As we light this Advent candle, we are reminded of the prophet’s declaration that the Almighty will “gather the outcast” and “change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.” The Savior’s first coming points to his second coming, and we long for that coming. We look forward to the day when the outcast will have a home and shame will be turned into renown.

Dear Lord of the outcast,
As we wait for Christ’s return — and anticipate celebration of his first arrival — cause our hearts to repent of callousness to the outcast. Keep us mindful that Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, that the Holy Family themselves became refugees. Stir in our hearts love for those who face daily the uncertainty of the unknown.

Amen.
Scripture Readings

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

Suggested Hymns

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed 203 UMH*
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne 2100 TFWS**

*The United Methodist Hymnal (© 1986 The United Methodist Publishing House).
**The Faith We Sing (© 2000 Abingdon Press).

“The dawn from on high” breaks upon us, and hope is kindled anew as we light this Advent candle. The light of the dawn illuminates our path to the Messiah’s kingdom of peace and justice where flickers of light serve as a beacon of hope to those the world has forgotten, the refugees who have no place to call their own.

Dear Lord of the Dawn,
Thank you for your tenderness in breaking the dawn and for the hope the Light instills in all your children. May your kingdom of peace and justice come to the world’s refugees, who for so long have not known peace and have suffered the misdeeds of injustice.

Amen.

Scripture Readings

Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6

Suggested Hymns

Blessed Be the God of Israel 209 UMH*
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus 196 UMH

*The United Methodist Hymnal (© 1986 The United Methodist Publishing House).

We light this advent candle as we remember the ones God has never forgotten, the millions of refugees who have fled famine, war, and persecution. May the flame of this candle remind us that God’s enduring love is greater than corrosive evil and one day, at the second Advent, the flame of his Presence will make all things new and will right every wrong.

Dear Lord of the Forgotten,
Help us this day to remember those the world has forgotten — those who live in the squalor and desperation of refugee camps, those who continue to seek refuge from war and violence. May we learn from them endurance, patience, and eternal hope. Rouse us to mercy and compassion as we are reminded that our Savior, too, was once a refugee.

Amen.

Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

Suggested Hymns

People Look East                202 UMH*
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light    206 UMH

*The United Methodist Hymnal (© 1986 The United Methodist Publishing House).