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Magnificat Focus: “His mercy is from generation to generation”
Contributor: Leemei Sophia Laktuhu
Leader: Beloved community, today we light the candle of Love.
Not love as sentiment but love as sacred presence.
Love that begins in God,
Love that finds its way into flesh and promise,
Love that chooses the humble and lifts the weary.
Let us love one another, for love is born of God.
To dwell in love is to dwell in God,
and to know the One who first loved us.
We magnify the Lord with joy that overcomes fear.
Leader: Hear these words of promise from the prophet Nathan, spoken to David:
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me;
your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16)
And hear Mary’s song of mercy:
“His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembering to be merciful.” (Luke 1:50, 54)
All sing or say:
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Leader: We light the first candle of Hope,
People: Where fear narrows our vision,
let this light widen our sight.
(The first candle (blue/purple) is lit.)
Leader: We light the candle of Peace.
People: Peace that lives within us, that is the promise of a liberation birthing,
truth-telling God in flesh.
(The second candle (blue/purple) is lit.)
Leader: We light the candle of Joy.
People: We will bring the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
(The third (pink) candle is lit.)
Leader: We light the candle of Love.
People: In a world longing for compassion, the light of God’s love and mercy shines.
Leader: With Mary we rejoice in the God who remembers.
People: God’s mercy flows through all generations, unbroken and sure.
(The fourth candle (blue/purple) is lit.)
God of Love, in this Advent season, we long for love to take root in our hearts and overflow from your mercy into a world aching to be held. As we light this candle, kindle in us a love that lifts the lowly, that welcomes the stranger, that remembers your mercy from generation to generation. With hearts filled with love for one another, help us magnify you with joy that overcomes fear. Lord Jesus, let your love cast out all fear. Amen.
All: Come, Lord Jesus, our Light and our Salvation.
Let us magnify the Lord with hope, peace, joy, and love that overcomes fear.
Leemei Sophia Laktuhu is a graduating MAPT student at Columbia Theological Seminary. She is active in the Office of Worship Life and the International Student Association.
Listen to what Advent means to Leemei Sophia at tinyurl.com/CTSAdventMeans
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