The preparations are made; now you stand at the door in anticipation of the party attenders arriving. You can’t wait. You’ve done your best; now whoever comes will be the life of the party, will have the time of their lives. It is hard to contain the joy. That’s the mood of this fourth Sunday of Advent.

Remember, we are “of” Advent, not “in” Advent. We don’t simply reside in the season, we become it. We exude it. We live it and announce it and celebrate it with every fiber of our being. Company’s Coming! And we couldn’t be more excited.

There are some in your congregation for whom this is like Christmas Eve. They will be traveling or receiving guests and not be able to come to your services. There will be others who come especially for that sacred night, of course. But some will be missing. They need to hear the promise. They need to remember the hope and how God chose to become flesh and dwell among us so that we could see God’s glory. Don’t skimp on the glory for this Sunday. Don’t hold it in abeyance. Enter into the moment, and embrace the gift. Let worship be as outward focused and celebratory as you can make it. Let everyone know that this child has come for them; this salvation has come to their house. This is not a secret we keep to ourselves, hidden behind locked doors. This is news we proclaim from the mountain tops, even if you live in the flatland. Make your own mountain and proclaim the good news.

Gathering Meditation

Ain’t That Good News
(Based on Luke 1:26-38)

A whisper of grace landed in my ear. “You’re going to have a baby boy, Mary! Now ain’t that good news?” But my mind captured every question overwhelming me, and only one found its way free. “How? How can this be?”

“Mary, don’t you know? Nothing is impossible for God! Nothing!”

And that’s the only reminder I needed. Somewhere inside of me something was breathing life into my faith and calling me to speak. These words came from the gut of my soul where joy and pain, laughter and tears, life and death are born. They came from a place where God’s Spirit dwells. And that soul smiled as these words journeyed from my mouth. “I am the Lord’s. Let it be.”

(Ciona D. Rouse, The Africana Worship Book for Year B, Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 26.)

Call to Worship

Leader: Now is the time of watching and waiting.

People: The time of pregnant expectation of new life.

Leader: Now is the season of hope unfolding.

People: The dark winter season when hope is waiting to be born.

Leader: Let us come before God with receptive and willing spirits.

People: May our souls magnify God’s name and may our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!

All: Rejoice! God comes to bring the birthday of life and hope. Amen.

(Ruth Duck, Bread for the Journey, Pilgrim Press, 1981, p.18-19.)

Prayer

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel! God with us, You came to us long ago as a helpless babe, as one in need of human love and care. You taught us how to love and care for one another. Help us to hold on to childlike wonder, amazement, and love, and help us to love one another all year long. Guide our feet into the way of peace, as only the Prince of Peace can lead us, by laying down our lives for one another and serving one another. In the name of Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us, we pray. Amen.

Liturgy created/adapted by Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, rev-o-lution.org. http://rev-o-lution.org/2017/12/15/worship-resources-for-december-24-2017-fourth-sunday-of-advent-christmas-eve/

Prayer

(Let us pray for God to be with us. [silence])

Thank you, loving heavenly Father,
for coming with power to the Virgin Mary
and making her the mother of our Lord.
Come to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we receive your saving word
and rejoice in our Savior.
For he lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

http://www.lca.org.au/worship/cowadmin/?p=6651

Prayer of Confession

“Lord, We Do”

Lord, you know that the time we’ve spent away from you has been filled with turmoil, disappointment, frustration, heartache, and despair. We have forgotten all about being blameless and turning the other cheek. We gave in to urges to be petty, spiteful, and hurtful. And while “telling it like it is” sure felt good at the time, we now find ourselves empty, confused, and ashamed. Today, we come here for Sabbath, for rest, refreshment, and renewal. Lord, we want to be sanctified and holy; we do. We want to be kind, to hold on to the good and encourage and greet each other in love, but you’re going to have to help us – a lot. Fill our mouths with praise and laughter, our hearts with joy and peace and our souls with quiet satisfaction. This is our prayer. Amen.

Response: The grace of our Lord is all over us, no matter what comes or what goes. Whether there are floods, earthquakes, overdue bills, disease, hardheaded children, unresponsive parents, betrayal, unfaithfulness – it doesn’t matter because God is bigger than all the things that perplex us. May our hearts and minds be filled with confidence and peace. Amen.

(Cynthia A. Bond Hopson, The Africana Worship Book for Year B, Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 148)

Litany for Christ's Coming (week 4)

A. As the days of Advent hasten on and we draw nearer to the day of Christ's coming, let us pray with fervent hearts for the needs of the world:
C. Come, Lord Jesus, and do not tarry.

A. Lord Christ, in joy and anticipation, we await your coming with lamps lighted and hearts aglow with faith.
C. Come now and illumine the whole universe.

A. All creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.
C. Come soon and save those who wait in darkness.

A. The suffering and the poor look to you for their hope.
C. Come and raise us to glory in your presence.

A. The troubled and oppressed have nowhere to turn but to you.
C. Come quickly and banish the powers of evil and darkness around us.

A. The sick and weary, the dying and faint-hearted cry out in their despair.
C. Come and bring us eternal wholeness and health.

A. Even the martyrs and the blessed dead make their plea, "O Lord, how long?"
C. Come now and give us eternal life.

A. The Spirit and the Church cry out:
C. Come, Lord Jesus.

A. All those who await your appearance pray:
C. Come, Lord Jesus.

A. The whole creation pleads:
C. Come, Lord Jesus.

P. Hearken to the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus. By the sign of the manger of Bethlehem, give us hope in the promise of your return. Come quickly, Lord, and bring us to the joys of heaven, where we will praise you with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
C. Amen

The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America http://www.liturgybytlw.com/AdvXmas/Advent.html

Advent Benediction

P. Receive the benediction. In all your Advent preparations, remain watchful with your eyes on Christ, whose birth in a manger is but a promise of his coming again in glory. And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.
C. Amen.