Advent 2009
Home Advent Devotions
In 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.
One 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. This year our Advent reflections come from Henri Nouwen.
The First Sunday of Advent
November 29
The Candle of Hope
Reader: I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God’s saving power. In a world that continues to shout, scream and overwhelm us with its claims and promises it is easy to be distracted. But in Advent, the small child of Bethlehem asks for my full attention. He invites us to look for small signs that God is present in our daily lives.
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-3
Reader: We light the first Advent candle, the candle of HOPE.
Prayer: We welcome you, small child of Bethlehem, whose coming we await with quiet attention. Shield us from the shouts, the screams, the empty promises of the season, and encourage us to turn our hopes to your coming. We know that the true hope of this season is hidden in the stable in Bethlehem. Amen.
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 ever lasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The Second Sunday of Advent
December 6
The Candle of Peace
Reader: Keep your eyes on the prince of peace, the one who doesn’t cling to divine power…Keep your eyes on the one who touches the lame, the crippled and the blind; the one who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement. Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak. He is the source of all peace.
Scripture: Colossians 3: 12-15
Reader: Today we light two Advent candles, the candle of HOPE and the candle of PEACE.
Prayer: O God, help us to make our way to Bethlehem, to the peace of the Christ Child. May his message of peace sink into our hearts and souls, giving us hopeful assurance of your unending care and concern for all of creation. Amen
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.
The Third Sunday of Advent
December 13
The Candle of Joy
Reader: We are joyful now because we know that Jesus is coming. Our expectation leads to joy and our joy to a desire to give to others. Real joy always wants to share. It belongs to the nature of joy to communicate itself to others and to invite others to take part in the gifts we have received. Advent is a time of joyful waiting and joyful giving.
Scripture: John 15: 9-11
Reader: Today we light three Advent Candles – the candles of HOPE, PEACE AND JOY.
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, enter our hearts even as you entered the world in the stable at Bethlehem. Touch us and open us to the joy you bring, that we may live gratefully, hopefully and joyfully has your disciples. Amen.
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 heaven and nature sing.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20
The Candle of Love
Reader: Jesus’ whole message is to say that you are God’s beloved child. When you can hear that in your heart, not in your head, that you are truly God’s beloved daughter, that you are truly God’s beloved son, everything turns around. The mystery of this spiritual truth is that you were loved before you were born, and you will be loved after you die…Your dwelling in God’s heart is a dwelling from eternity to eternity
Scripture: Psalm 23
Reader: The day we have been waiting for is almost here. Today we light all four Advent Candles – the candles of HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE.
Prayer: God you revealed your love for us by coming into the world as a helpless child. May we respond to this great gift of love by making your love a reality in the world. Transform us through the giving and receiving of your grace and love. Amen.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing: “Glory to the new born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King!”
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
THE CHRIST CANDLE
Reader: God came to us because God wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles, but are moving towards the house of peace and joy. This is the great mystery of Christmas…we are not alone on our journey. The God of love who gave us life sent us his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost, but can always trust that we walks with us. Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let Christ be our companion.
Scripture: Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: Tonight we light the four candles of our Advent wreath and also the center candle, the CHRIST CANDLE, proclaiming that Jesus has come as The Light of the World.
Prayer: You have come, Lord Jesus, fulfilling your promise of peace and good will. May that Christmas message sink into our hearts that we might truly be a “Christmas people,” not just this day, but every day. Amen.
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.
