This is a series of five Advent (and Christmas Eve) Candle-Lighting Litanies Naomi Friend and I wrote for use with Graham Kendrick’s hymn “Make Way.” Kendrick’s full version has four stanzas; a two-stanza version of the song, which we used, can be found in Sing! A New Creation (#98). We sang the hymn as a response to each litany. Each week’s litany is based on the Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Year A so it is especially appropriate for that liturgical year.
“Make Way for Christ the King!”
Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy for use with
Graham Kendrick’s “Make Way” (Sing! A New Creation #98)
For RCL Year A
First Sunday of Advent
Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!
People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?
Leader: The night is nearly over; the day is almost near! Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light! Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ!
People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to prepare for Christ’s coming by putting aside the darkness that so easily entangles us and seeking the true Light of the World!
People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!
Hymn of Response: “Make Way”
Second Sunday of Advent
Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!
People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?
Leader: Repent and prepare your heart for the coming of the Lord! Put on a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God!
People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to accept one another and become servants to each other just as Christ became a servant on behalf of God’s truth.
People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!
Hymn of Response: “Make Way”
Third Sunday of Advent
Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!
People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?
Leader: Be patient until the Lord’s coming! Stand firm with your brothers and sisters in the face of suffering as God’s Kingdom is made real in this world!
People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to patiently wait for the Coming of Christ who will end all suffering and wipe away all our tears.
People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!
Hymn of Response: “Make Way”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!
People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?
Leader: Be careful, be calm and don’t be afraid. Don’t lose heart, but trust in the Lord for his promises are sure. His Kingdom is near! Jesus will come to save his people from their sins!
People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light today reminds us to cast aside fear and trust in God’s promises—even when they seem impossible.
People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!
Hymn of Response: “Make Way”
Christmas Eve
Leader: Fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into your lives! Make way for Christ the King!
People: How can we prepare for the arrival of the King?
Leader: Burst into songs of joy together for the Lord has comforted and redeemed his people. Receive the King into your lives and believe on his name.
People: Praise the Lord! Make way for Christ the King!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Leader: The candle we light tonight reminds us that the true light that gives light to everyone has come into the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
People: We fling wide the gates and welcome Jesus into our lives! Make way for Christ the King!
Hymn of Response: “Make Way”
— Naomi Friend and David Schweingruber
“Make Way for Christ the King!” Advent Liturgy by Naomi Friend & David Schweingruber is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.