Celebrate Advent with Canterbury
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Advent
As the nights grow longer and the days grow darker, we move into a Season of Light in the church. During the Season of Advent (November-December) we await Christ’s coming. Many churches observe a four week Advent, but a more ancient practice invites us to observe a seven week Advent. (For more info, visit http://theadventproject.org) In Advent the liturgical colors change to deep blue or purple. The Crux Commisa (a T shaped cross) hangs above the altar. Each week we open our liturgy with one of seven ancient prayers known as the "O Antiphons". |
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The "O Antiphons"
Prayer for Week 1: O Wisdom, coming from the mouth of the Most High, spanning the world in power from end to end, ordering all things for good: Come, and teach us the Way of Knowledge. Amen
Prayer for Week 2: O Adonai and leader of the house of Israel, who appeared in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire and gave him the Law of Sinai: Come and deliver us with an outstretched arm. Amen.
Prayer for Week 3: O King of the Nations, and their Desire, the cornerstone who makes both walls one: Come and save humankind whom you formed of clay. Amen.
Prayer for Week 4: O Dayspring, brightness of light everlasting and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Amen
Prayer for Week 5: O Root of Jesse, standing for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the nations shall seek. Come and deliver us and tarry not. Amen.
Prayer for Week 6: O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, that opens and no one closes, and closes and no one opens: Come and bring the prisoners out of the prison house, and those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Amen.
Prayer for Week 7: O Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, the desire of all nations and their salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God. Amen.
More Spiritual Resources
Simple Home Ritual for Advent
Pray with Anglican Prayer Beads and Songs in Advent: Download booklet and audio files.
Pray with Anglican Prayer Beads and Songs in Advent: Download booklet and audio files.
For Children, Families, and the Young at Heart
Advent Coloring Pack
| advent_coloring_sheets-.pdf |
Daily Prayer
People in all kinds of religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity, have been marking time with prayer for almost as long as we’ve divided the day into hours. “Praying the hours,” as it’s called, has always reminded us that God walks with us throughout each day; “praying the hours” is also a way that the community of faith comes together, whether we’re united all in one place or scattered like raindrops.
Daily Prayer for All Seasons, a resource published by the Episcopal Church, offers short seasonal prayer services to help you "pray the hours" wherever you are. For each season, the book offers eight daily invitations for you to pause for a short prayer/meditation break. Each service can be prayed in 3-8 minutes. In addition to the familiar liturgical seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter, etc.), Daily Prayer for All Seasons divides the long Season after Pentecost into two seasons: a Season of Rest, and a Season of Creation.
You can download a copy of Daily Prayer for All Seasons, buy a bound copy, or pray along with the small group (of regular people of all ages) in the audio recordings, below.
Daily Prayer for All Seasons, a resource published by the Episcopal Church, offers short seasonal prayer services to help you "pray the hours" wherever you are. For each season, the book offers eight daily invitations for you to pause for a short prayer/meditation break. Each service can be prayed in 3-8 minutes. In addition to the familiar liturgical seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter, etc.), Daily Prayer for All Seasons divides the long Season after Pentecost into two seasons: a Season of Rest, and a Season of Creation.
You can download a copy of Daily Prayer for All Seasons, buy a bound copy, or pray along with the small group (of regular people of all ages) in the audio recordings, below.
Upon Waking: Focus on Praise
At the Start of the Day: Focus on Discernment
At Mid-Morning: Focus on Wisdom
At Mid-Day: Focus on Perseverance and Renewal
In the Afternoon: Focus on Love
At Dusk: Focus on Forgiveness
At Bedtime: Focus on Trust
Late at night: Focus on Keeping Watch
