Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel ... or... Do You Hear What I Hear? 

Leader: Jesus, we look forward to the Advent Season so we can again recognize your presence on this earth. Help us to see you, hear your voice, and hold your peace in our hearts.

Leader 2: A reading from the Gospel of Luke (1:26-29)

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to aman named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: "Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women." She was deeply troubled by his words, and wondered what his greeting meant.

Leader 3: We are also troubled sometimes when we are told that we are blessed. Why have we been chosen to have so much that is good, when so many children around the world have so much less?

All: Lord, what do you want of me? What do you expect? (pause)

Leader 2: (Luke 1: 30- )      The angel went on to say to her: "Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end."

Leader 3: Help us not to fear when you tell us that you love us. Help us believe that you really want to live in us--to use our hands, our feet, our mouths to speak and act in your name.

All: Lord, what do you want of me? What do you expect? (pause)

Leader 2: (Luke 1:34-37)     Mary said to the angel, "How can this be since I do not know man?" The angel answered her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called Son of God. Know that Elizabeth you kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age; she who was thought to be sterile is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God.

Leader 3: How many times do we question whether God will come through for us. Nothing is impossible with God. Let us open our hearts and believe.

All: Lord, what do you want of me? What do you expect? (pause)

Leader 2: (Luke 1:38)     Mary said: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." With that the angel left her.

Leader 3: We, too, are your servants on this earth. We, too, can bring your presence and your love to others.

Leader 1: Mary was a perfect model of a person who was open to blessing God wanted to give the world through her. Let us pray together her prayer.

All: Hail Mary, full of grace...

Leader 3: Lord, help us to make this Advent a time of freedom to love as you love. Let our sacrifices, prayers and concern for all children be a sign of our missionary spirit. Help us be generous as we listen to what you ask of us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord of all the earth.

All: Amen.