An Advent Dance

The dance below is an Entrance dance that may be used with the prayers centering around the Advent wreath. It is based on the well-known hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel. " O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel On the words "O Come, O Come " the procession moves down the aisle, arms stretched in front, palms facing up. (Practice holding the arms out in such a way as to really feel them as an extension of the self seeking God. ) that mourns in lowly exile here Leader with the wreath stops, and all the rest bow from the waist, lowering arms. (At this point in the third verse, the sequence is changed. See later directions. ) until the son of God appear. All raise their bodies and lift up arms as before. (Chorus) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel A double line separates as everyone turns to face his or her partner while taking a big step backward, opening arms wide to the sides in a joyful manner. A pathway is thus formed through which the leader dances with the wreath. (It is eas…