One: Dear Friends, we gather in a time of great turmoil, war spreading, a world in crisis, to rekindle our hope. In the midst of us, through the presence of God in community, that fire for justice and peace, that flame of hope, can be found in the here and now. Our challenge is to carry it beyond these walls. We nurture and guard that flame, but then, we take it out into the night.
Advent 1: We light this lantern to affirm a peace found not in armaments but in the justice of shared abundance.
All: We carry deep peace within.
Advent 2: We light this lantern to affirm a dignity found not in superiority but in equality.
All: We illuminate God’s image in all.
Advent 3: We light this lantern to affirm a hope found not in innocence but in resistance.
All: We ignite the flame of justice
Advent 4: We light this lantern to affirm a joy found not in folly but in truth.
All: We embolden God’s delight.
Christmas Eve: We light this lantern to affirm our love for the ever-living child of peace born this day and every day in the heart of communities of hope and struggle.
All: We celebrate that Love came down. Emmanuel, God is with us.
Jennifer Henry