Category Archives: Advent

Advent Resources 2020

Solar Eclipse from Mount Santa Lucia, by Carleton Watkins (American, 1829 – 1916), Getty Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Advent Lectionary Readings (Year B)

First Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 64:1-9; Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37

Second Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps. 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Ps. 126; Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 ; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Fourth Sunday of Advent: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55; Ps. 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

Poetry

“Sunday before Advent” by Christina Rossetti

“Advent” by Christina Rossetti

Resource Links

Advent Collects from the Book of Common Prayer

Artful Devotions for Advent from artandtheology.org

Free Download of daily Advent prayers from Teach us to Pray: Scripture-Centered Family Worship through the Year

Liturgy for a Christian New Year’s Eve celebration

Music

Subscribe to the Neumz Digital Advent Calendar

Eschatological Advent Spotify playlist

Traditional and Popular Hymns for Advent

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

God with Us 
“Isaiah foretold the conception and birth of Jesus as a miraculous sign to us (Isaiah 7:10-16), the way in which God would restore us to salvation (Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19). God gives us grace through Jesus Christ, his Son (Romans 1:1-7), who was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-25).”
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Dawning Light of Our Salvation
God is faithful to execute justice on behalf of the humble and oppressed (Psalm 146:5-10 & Luke 1:46b-65). Even in the wilderness, those who hope in the Lord can be strong and celebrate the future return of Jesus (Isaiah 35:1-10). We wait patiently for the time of his reappearance knowing that the coming of the Lord is near. Suffer well and encourage one another (James 5:7-10). The dawning light of our salvation has already appeared through Jesus Christ. His first coming assures his people of their final victory (Matthew 11:2-11). 

Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Behold, the Hope of the World
“The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of Christ (Isaiah 11:1-10), who will defend the afflicted and crush the oppressor (Psalm 72:1-7). In light of the Savior’s arrival, John the Baptist calls us to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12). We praise God for his marvelous deeds (Psalms 72:18-19). Because of Christ, the root of Jesse, we have hope for the future through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:4-13).”

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Keep Watch and Walk Towards the Light
“Scripture tells us that we are forgiven! It calls us to walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:1-5), to pray for peace (Psalm 122) and to keep watch for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36-44), putting aside our deeds of darkness and living in the light (Romans 13:11-14). In this season of Advent, we celebrate the Child who is the Light. We thank God for the forgiveness of sins and reaffirm our desire to walk with the Lord.” 

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Restoration
“The prophets foretold the birth of Christ (Micah 5:2-5a), who would “be great to the ends of the earth.” We look to God for restoration and salvation (Psalm 80:1-7) through the ultimate sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:5-10), whose birth through the virgin Mary was prophesied by Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-55) and which we anticipate during this Advent season.”              -Thomas Oden

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Rejoice!
“We should rejoice! The Lord promises us he will renew us with love and eventually bring us home to be with him (Zepheniah 3:14-20). We need not be anxious or afraid; rather, we can give thanks for our salvation and the strength that God gives us (Isaiah 12:2-6). We are promised “the peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:4-7) even as we prepare our hearts during Advent for the good news–Christ’s coming (Luke 3:7-18).” -Thomas Oden

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Prepare the Way
“The prophets foretold the coming of Christ (Malachi 3:1-4), as did Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) and John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord (Luke 3:1-6). Until Christ returns again, we strive to become more like him (Philippians 1:3-11).”
-Thomas Oden

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent 2018 (Year C)

Walking and Waiting in Love
“Our God is a God of justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 33:14-16). During the Advent season, we are reminded that we are called to learn his ways and walk in the paths of humility and love (Psalm 25:1-9). As we look to his return (Luke 21:25-36), we pray and give thanks, desiring to become holy as he is holy (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13).” -Thomas Oden

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday of Advent 2017 (Year B)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Week of Advent 2017 (Year B)

Nothing is Impossible for God
“The Lord was with David (2 Samuel 7:1-11,16); through his lineage and the Virgin Mary, the Son of God was born. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:26-38). Glory to his name (Romans 16:25-27), the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26).”
– Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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