Ideas that work with our seasons, especially around Advent and Christmas are difficult. Here is a gift to you, built around some of God’s Creation. First published in 2005. This edition, 2012.
Advent Candle
The idea is that each week you build on the display. Either completely re-doing it in the colour suggested, or some other way. We have used coloured candles floating in a bowl, wrapped in the suggested colour and foliage. We have also used nice square serving plates, each week the serving plate has the theme, so by the end, there are 4 themes together. We have also had a really big tray that changed each week, so in week 2, while the colour is blue, the green candle would be in amongst the blue. But, the predominant theme was blue and water, and the green and koru was gone (other than the green candle). We have made separate displays, we have also used the altar/communion table front edge for the display. As a warning, many Anglican’s would view using the altar for an advent display as to be a miss-use of it. Different traditions/understandings will require a different arrangement.
Advent1 – Hope – Koru – Green
Theme: Hope Symbol: Koru Colour: Green
Resources: Picture of koru and/or fern, fern foliage, green candle, green cloth.
In the very middle of the fern, in its damp, moist belly a koru emerges offering a sign of rejuvenation and birth.
Even when a fern appears dead and lifeless, tiny koru can be found, offering the promise of hope and life.
Collect
This is the liturgical start
The koru, the slow unfurling of a baby fern frond offers us hope of new life. As we light the green candle nestled amongst the fern we anticipate the hope of new life in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Prayer – the people join in this, it should be in bold.
God of hope
As the koru unfurls within the centre of the fern
Give us the hope of new life found within an innocent child
Help us to carry this hope in this advent season
Knowing that amongst our sin and weakness
There is hope and renewal to be found in your Son
Jesus Christ, Amen.
Advent2 – Peace – Water – Blue
Theme: Peace Symbol: Water Colour: Blue
Resources: Picture of water (waterfall, stream, sea, lake), bowl of water with stones, blue candle, blue cloth
Water is a symbol of creation, refreshment and renewal.
Peace can be found in the loudness of a waterfall and the softness of a gentle stream.
Peace can come to us on a beach at sunset or even in a storm.
We need peace.
We need peace to surround us and to envelop the world.
Collect
We light this candle in water to symbolise peace and remembering the promise of peace that the Messiah was to bring into the world.
God of peace
As water sustains and nurtures us
Calm our inner turmoil in this busy time
Remind us of your promise of peace
Found in Jesus, your Son
Whose birth we long for
Amen.
Advent3 – Joy – Pohutukawa – Red
Theme: Joy Symbol: Pohutukawa Colour: Red
Resources: Picture of pohutukawa, pohutukawa branches, red candle, red cloth.
The Pohutukawa often clings to the most precipitous of places. It stands strong against rock, sand and water and offers shade for those at play on a beach. In spite of its precarious existence and constant fight against predators, every Christmas it erupts in a blaze of red, a sign of joy, of rejuvenation and of new life.
Collect
The Pohutukawa flowers at the beginning of summer and reminds us of the promise of joy, of light, warmth and restoration that would be brought by the Messiah. At this time of advent we light this red candle surrounded by the foliage of the Pohutukawa tree to remind us of our joy in the promise of the Messiah, the light of the world.
God of joy
As the Pohutukawa stands strong in all weathers
And its flowers are a bright blaze of colour
Give us the joy in the promise of the Messiah
Help us to believe in times of darkness
That your Son came into the world
To bring us redemption and new life
In Jesus name, Amen
Advent4 – Love – Paua – Purple
Theme: Love Symbol: Paua Colour: Purple
Resources: Paua shells and pieces, purple cloth, purple candle
Paua is a symbol of strength and beauty that provides sustenance to the body just as love is the greatest of things and provides sustenance to the spirit. Paua can withstand the tide, holding fast to the rock and as we eat of its body we see the beauty hidden within its shell. During this time of Advent we remember that Jesus was born to bring love into the world, even unto death.
Collect
We light this candle surrounded by paua to symbolise the greatest love in the world, welcoming the extravagant love of God found in the birth of Jesus.
God of love
In this time of stress and busyness
Remind us of your powerful love
As we come together as family, as community to your table
Give us the strength and grace to love those we come across in our daily lives
In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.
Alternative Idea – Faith – Pohutukawa – Red
Theme: Faith Symbol: Pōhutukawa Colour: Red
Resources: Picture of pōhutukawa, pōhutukawa branches, red candle, red cloth.
The Pohutukawa often clings to the most precipitous of places. It stands strong against rock, sand and water and offers shade for those at play on a beach. In an environment that changes, it remains constant and strong.
Collect
The Pohutukawa flowers at the beginning of summer reminding us of the promise of light, warmth and restoration. At this time of advent we light this red candle surrounded by the foliage of the Pohutukawa tree to remind us of our faith in the promise of the Messiah, the light of the world.
God of faith
As the Pōhutukawa stands strong in all weathers
Give us the faith to believe in your promised Messiah
Help us to believe in times of darkness
That your Son came into the world
To bring us redemption and new life
In Jesus name, Amen.
Christmas Day – Birth of Christ – Christ Candle – White
Theme: Birth of Christ Symbol: Christ Candle Colour: White
Resources: Lighting the Christ Candle
Collect
Lord God, just as you promised you came to earth
An unexpected package – a precious baby boy.
Help us this day to find joy in your promises,
Hope in new life,
Peace in our hearts,
And love in our thoughts and actions.
And remind us always that your promises may be fulfilled in the most mysterious,
curious and joyous ways.
In your Son’s name we pray, Amen
Christmas Day Meal Prayer
Family Prayer
We remember those who are special who have gone before us
We remember those in the world who have little
We remember those who are not here and hold them in our hearts
We thank you for your gift of creation and our part in this earth.
We ask for your forgiveness for our carelessness and greed.
Help us to nurture and care for your world.
We celebrate moments of sadness and frustration that we have experienced this year,
thanking you for being with us on our journey.
We ask for your healing to help us move on.
We celebrate moments of happiness and joy that have come to us,
thankyou for giving us these precious gifts in our lives.
We ask that we never forget these special moments.
Collect/Prayer
Together we pray:
God our Creator
Thank you for the gift of life.
God our Sustainer
Thank you for giving us the strength to live our life to the fullest.
God our Redeemer
Thank you for the grace, hope and joy in our lives. Amen