A sort of traditional-untraditional Candle Lighting Prayer for Advent

This cheeky little poem/prayer is my attempt this year at a Candlelighting liturgy for Advent for a journey towards justice, presence, joy, and peace with the lectionary readings of the minor prophets. The ritual of lighting candles at this time is common in many churches, but we don't often make clear the reasons behind it.  

The introduction is very long so I plan on printing it in the church newsletter for people to revisit in their own time. I will use it as a whole on the first Sunday in Advent and on Christmas Day. On weeks 2, 3 and 4, I would suggest using each of the commitments only.

#Advent #embodiment #prayer

You will need:
~ four candles (in purple or dark blue) 
~ a central, taller Christ candle (in white or gold)
~ stands/wreath if you want a decorative setting for them
~ matches/lighter

Each year, we dig through cupboards
for candles long unlit
beyond this sacred season:
purple and pink
or silver and gold;
one, two, three, four
proud pillars or fat balls,
and a final, tall one for the centre
that we save ’til Christmas Day.

We eyeball them
and wonder whether they will last another year
or if we should invest in new ones.
Then, we wipe off the dust,
trim the wicks,
give them go,
and watch them smoulder
before settling them into green wreaths
or spiking them onto their metal stands.
They’ll do. But why do they always look so skew?

By Sunday, all is ready.
Strike the match;
mark the journey.

Wick by wick, they gently remind us
that we are part of a story that unfolds
through unlikely people and rough places.

Week after week, they mark for us
that we’re getting closer to the long-awaited day
when our tears are wiped away
by God’s own hands.

Flicker by flicker, like prophets they proclaim
that the light continues to shine in the darkness
and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Glow by glow, they warm our hearts
with all those good God-gifts
that Christmas is about:
hope and peace and joy and love
for the whole world ….

But, what if … what if, this year,
instead of us lighting them,
our advent candles light us
with flames that cannot be extinguished
at the end of a service?

What if the spark that sets them ablaze
sparks in us that which cannot be consumed
like turkey leftovers
or binned like ruined wrapping paper
or trussed up like the undressed Christmas tree?

What if this ancient ritual becomes
a here-and-now movement
towards the world for which Christ still comes beyond our Christmas Day?

CANDLE 1: JUSTICE (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is right and just in the land.

Light by light, we are kindled.

The first candle is lit.

We see the world’s brokenness
with clearer eyes:
to stand alongside the oppressed,
to raise our voices where silence feels safe,
and to walk with those
whose struggles are hidden in shadows.

CANDLE 2: PRESENCE (Malachi 3:1-4)

Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come.

Light by light, we are kindled to justice.

The first candle is lit.

Glow by glow, we are awakened.

The second candle is lit.

We feel the warmth of God’s nearness
with outstretched arms:
to welcome the stranger,
to shelter the homeless,
and to accompany those
whose lives long for love’s embrace.

CANDLE 3: JOY (Zephaniah 3:14-20)

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!

Light by light,
we are kindled to justice.

The first candle is lit.

Glow by glow,
we are awakened to God’s presence.

The second candle is lit.

Flicker by flicker, we are enlivened.

The third candle is lit.

We announce the joy of each new day
with unrestrained voices:
to celebrate life’s simple gifts,
to calm our fears,
and to nourish those whose hearts are weary.

CANDLE 4: PEACE (Micah 5:2-5a)

He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
… and he will be our peace.

Light by light,
we are kindled to justice.

The first candle is lit.

Glow by glow,
we are awakened to God’s presence.

The second candle is lit.

Flicker by flicker,
we are enlivened to joy.

The third candle is lit.

Glimmer by glimmer, we are drawn.

The fourth candle is lit.

We seek the still centre of each moment
with yearning hearts:
to foster understanding among us,
to heal the wounds that divide,
and to comfort those
whose lands know only war and struggle.

THE CHRIST CANDLE (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Light by light,
we are kindled to justice.

The first candle is lit.

Glow by glow,
we are awakened to God’s presence.

The second candle is lit.

Flicker by flicker,
we are enlivened to joy.

The third candle is lit.

Glimmer by glimmer,
we are drawn to peace.

The fourth candle is lit.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness
on them light has shined.

The Christ candle is lit.

This day, and always,
may our lives
be illuminated by the light
of your life and your love
’til we shine with justice and presence,
with joy and with peace –
even in the deepest darkness.

Amen.