Tenebrae means “shadows,” and for centuries, Christians have held tenebrae services during Holy Week, gradually extinguishing candles in the sanctuary.  At the same time, an Advent wreath is a time-honored practice of worshiping at home, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love.

"Holy Week Tenebrae" brings these two streams of Christian tradition together, creating a fresh, familiar way to explore the deeper meanings of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  The wreath's candles are lit with the "hosannas" of Palm Sunday; extinguished, one by one, as the week unfolds; and finally restored to a new splendor on Easter morning.  Each day includes a simple order of service: prayers, biblical readings, songs, and time for reflecting together as the shadows come and go.   

Simple practices like this one can help us connect with each other by engaging the key themes of the season, making the depths of Good Friday and hope of Easter Sunday more vivid, more tangible, and more compelling than ever.

Files: This listing is for a downloadable PDF printable on 8.5 x 11 paper, an e-reader version, a printable version, and printing instructions.  Please note: you will not receive a physical product as this is a digital download.  At time of purchase you will receive a link, and will have 24 hours to download the files.

"Holy Week Tenebrae: A Home-Based Devotional" is for congregational use only, which means it may not be reproduced commercially, duplicated beyond the size of congregational license purchased, or resold. :)