Advent Scripture Guidelines
Advent Readings:
Advent One
Advent Two
Advent Three
Advent Four
Sunday After Christmas
Epiphany Sunday
Advent planners recommend these guidelines for presenting Scripture:
- Make use of both female and male voices.
- Some passages lend themselves better to one gender (although any voice, regardless of gender, can read any passage effectively). For example:
- Advent Four, all women (the Annunciation)
- Epiphany Sunday, all men (the wise men
- The number of readers selected for each reading should reflect the Scripture passage:
- Is it a private conversation? (e.g., The Annunciation)
- Is it a public event? (e.g., feeding of the 5000)
- Is a narrator useful in communicating the story?
- Odd numbers of voices are often more interesting than even numbers. For example, in Advent Two, while the total is an even six, the voices are arranged in two groups of three each. Equal importance is given to both passages of Scripture chosen for that Sunday.
- A number is assigned to each reader, based on the pitch of the natural speaking voice. The person with the highest pitched voice is always assigned number "1."
- The use of a "pause" is important for the total effect of the reading. Scripture gives us much to ponder beyond the immediate words. When Scriptures are effectively read, the readers and the congregation need time to let images and/or actions of the passage "sink in."
- Since readers must be able to read text at a glance, it should be printed on standard 8½ x 11 paper. Each reader may highlight his or her own script with a colored marker. Place scripts in black, three-ring binders for a uniform appearance and to provide support for the pages. When readers have a unified appearance, the congregation can concentrate on the content.
- Awareness of the reader’s role in communicating the Word as a sacred task and calling should undergird all Scripture reading.
Selected resources:
Kropf, Marlene. "Introduction: Scripture Reading in Worship" (Hymnal Subscription Service 9: 2001:1)
Morton, Craig and Ken Hawkley. Word of Mouth: Creative Ways to Present Scripture. Faith & Life Resources, 2000.
Wagner, Nick. Nine Steps to Becoming a Better Lector. Resource Publications, Inc. San Jose, Calif., 2000.