Christmas Eve--The Christ Candle

Say: Listen to the Words of God from Isaiah 9:2.

Read: Isaiah 9:2

Say: We relight the first Advent candle to remind us to look up and center our thoughts on a loving God, who sent his promised Son to us—and who promises his Son’s return.

We relight the second Advent candle to remind us to look back 2,000 years to the moment when God’s gift came to us in Bethlehem—and look forward to his coming again.

We relight the third Advent candle to remind us to look within ourselves, reflecting on Christ’s first coming and preparing for his return.

We relight the fourth advent candle to remind us to look out at a lost and needy world, sharing the good news of the Savior’s birth, and warning of the judgment to come at his return.

As we light the Christ candle, let it remind us that the message of Christmas calls us to open our hearts to Christ—the Light of the world—and give him glory, honor and love until he returns.

Read: John 1:1,4; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:3, 5

Sing: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light, Joy to the World

Pray: Our Father, thank you for shattering the darkness with the light of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for making us children of light. Help us to let our lights shine before men so that you may be praised and glorified. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent--The Shepherd Candle

Say: Listen to the words of God from Isaiah 40:9

Read: Isaiah 40:9

Say: We relight the first Advent candle to remind us to look up and center our thoughts on a loving God, who sent his promised Son to us - and who promises his Son’s return.

We relight the second Advent candle, let it remind us to look back 2,000 years to the moment when God’s gift came to us in Bethlehem—and look forward to his coming again.

We relight the third Advent candle, let it remind us to look within ourselves, reflecting on C hrist’s first coming and preparing for his return

As we light the fourth advent candle let it remind us to look out at a lost and needy world, sharing the good news of the Savior’s birth, and warning of the judgment to come at his return.

Read: A reading from Luke 2:15-18

Sing:  O Come All Ye Faithful, Go Tell it on the Mountain

Pray: Father, we glorify and praise you for sending Jesus as our Savior/King.  Thank you for revealing the Good News to us. Help us to respond as the shepherds did, spreading this good news to all we come in contact with. May your Kingdom be expanded in us and through us—for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Third Sunday in Advent: The Messenger Candle

Say: Listen to the words of God from Isaiah 40:3, 4

Read: Isaiah 40:3, 4

Say: We relight the first Advent candle to remind us to look up and center our thoughts on a loving God, who sent his promised Son to us - and who promises his Son’s return.

We relight the second Advent candle, let it remind us to look back 2,000 years to the moment when God’s gift came to us in Bethlehem—and look forward to his coming again.

As we light the third Advent candle, let it remind us to look within ourselves, reflecting on Christ’s first coming and preparing for his return.

Say: A reading from Luke 2:8-14

Read: Luke 2:8-14

Sing: Angels We Have Heard on High, Angels from the Realms of Glory

Pray: Father, thank you for sending messengers to prepare the way and to proclaim the Savior’s birth. Thank you for making this good news known to us. Help us to take time this season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Help us prepare our hearts to joyfully celebrate Christ’s incarnation and to be ready for his second coming. We ask this in the Savior’s name. Amen.

For the First Sunday of Advent

First, Advent Defined
Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Advent isn’t a rush to the finish line, no matter how much we want 2020 to be over. Advent is a time to reflect and prepare for the coming of Christ as we look back at his first coming and look forward to his return.

The advent wreath helps us rehearse Jesus’ first coming and anticipate his coming again. Each candle represents a different aspect of the Christmas story, and the colors of the candles add to that narrative.

Second Advent Basics—Explanation of the Candles

The purple candles are lit on weeks one, two and four. The color purple is the color of royalty and reminds us that Jesus is king. Purple also is called the color of repentance and reminds us to prepare our hearts for receiving Jesus as king.

Pink is a color often associated with joy. The pink candle, lit on week three, reminds us to look with joy on Christ’s incarnation and joyfully anticipate his second coming.

The center white candle, lit on Christmas Eve, reminds us that Jesus is holy, and he comes to make his people holy.

• The first candle is the promise candle and reminds us that God promised to send a king.
• The second candle is the Bethlehem candle and reminds us where Jesus was born as predicted by the prophet Micah.
• The third candle is the messenger candle and represents the messengers who prepared for and proclaimed Christ’s birth.
• The fourth candle is the shepherd candle and reminds us of the shepherds who found the Christ child, and then went out and spread the news of Jesus’ birth.
• The Christ candle in the center is lit on Christmas Eve, and reminds us that Jesus is holy and he comes to make his people holy.

First Sunday of Advent—The Promise Candle
Say: We light our first advent candle to remind us to look up and center our thoughts on a loving God, who sent his promised Son to us, and who promises his Son’s return. (Light candle.)

Say: A reading from God’s Word
Read: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 and Luke 1:68-20
Sing: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Pray: Dear Father, thank you for promising to send a Savior-King who would free us from the power of sin. Thank you for keeping your promise by sending Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Teach us how to live with Jesus as our King. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Make your own Advent wreath
You will need
Brass Advent Wreath and candle holders
Candles—three purple, one pink, one white pillar
Boughs—real (pine, boxwood branches) or not
Simple decorations—berries, pinecones, ribbon