Advent Devotions
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n the Christian church, Advent is the four-week season of preparation prior to the great festival of Christmas. It is sometimes referred to as a "little Lent" because as the world around us gets busier and more frantic in December, Advent invites us into a time of worship and reflection as we consider how we can best prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of the Christ.
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ne way many of us choose to mark this special season is through the weekly lighting of a candle in the Advent wreath. As the circle of light grows each week and we share the Advent devotions together, we are reminded that the coming of God to humankind and the coming of people to God is truly what Christmas is all about.
Advent 2006 Home Advent Devotions
The First Sunday of Advent
December 3
Theme: HOPE
Reader: Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. Advent means coming, and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. One of the ways we can celebrate Advent is by making an Advent wreath and lighting its candles each week to remind us of the gifts Christ brings to the world.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9: 2 & 6.
Reader: The people of Israel heard God’s promises through the prophets. The prophet, Isaiah, spoke of words of hope when he proclaimed the coming of a leader through whom God’s promise of peace would be fulfilled. Today we continue to hope and pray for a world of peace and harmony.
Reader: Today we light the candle of HOPE. (light the first candle) Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we light this candle we celebrate the hope we have in the birth of Jesus.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for hope. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, help us to share our hope with others. Amen.
The Second Sunday of Advent
December 10
Theme: PEACE
Reader: Peace is one of God’s gifts to us. John the Baptist was a prophet calling the people of Israel to turn in a new direction and find peace with God. The prophet Isaiah many years before shared his own vision of peace. And Jesus was heralded as the Prince of Peace.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2: 2-4
Reader: Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath, the candle of hope – the light of hope that shines for us in the darkness. Today we light the second candle to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. His light helps us find ways to share God’s peace with others. (light two candles)
It Came upon the Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold;
Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heaven’s all gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Prayer The prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is sadness, joy.
And where there is darkness, light. Amen.
The Third Sunday of Advent
December 17
Theme: JOY
Reader: As we wait for Christmas and the birth of Jesus, we look forward to the joyful celebrations we will share with those we love. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid because this was, “good news of great joy which shall be to all people.” The good news of Jesus’ birth and its promise of peace and hope are still “tidings of great joy” for us today.
Scripture Reading: John 15: 9-11
Reader: We light the first two Advent candles, reminding us of God’s gifts of hope and peace. And we light the third candle which reminds us of our joy in Christ.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and heaven and nature sing.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for your promise of joy. Help us to recognize the moments of joy in our lives, and to live joyfully so that others may come to be filled with the joy we feel in this special season. Amen.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24
Theme: LOVE
Reader: The Bible tells us that it is because God loved the world so much that Jesus came to live among us. Mary sings her song in praise of God’s love and goodness. Because God loves us, we must love and care for others. Jesus came to show us how to love.
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 13
Reader: We light the candles of hope, peace, and joy. Today we add the candle of love. The light of this candle reminds us that God loves us, and that we show that love by loving each other.
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
Prayer: We thank you God for loving us, and for sending us Jesus to teach us about your love. Help us to remember that love will never come to an end. And strengthen us to love each other as you have loved us. Amen.
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
THE CHRIST CANDLE
Reader: This is the last time this year we will light the Advent candles. For four weeks the candles have burned as we thought about hope, peace, joy, and love. These are the gifts that Jesus brought to us at Christmas. Now the waiting is over. Jesus is born!
Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 1-20
Reader: Each week another candle glowed and our wreath shone more brightly. Today we also light the center white candle, the candle that represents Jesus. It is at the center of our wreath, just as Jesus is at the center of our lives. Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Prayer: God, our hearts sing with joy and praise because of the special birth at Bethlehem. The joyous events of Christmas show us that we are your people and that we are greatly loved. Help us to remember Christmas all year long by helping us to give to others the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. Amen.
