Advent Readings 2008

These advent readings are for the four Sunday’s of advent and then for Christmas Eve. The instructions we give each family is: first the scripture is read, then as the interpretation is read light the candle, or candles, and then they close with the prayer. We number the candles with a print out from a p-touch and place the numbers so only the family can see them.

The readings are based upon both the Scripture given and the theology of the hymn.

May the Lord Jesus bless your ministry this advent season.

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First Sunday Of Advent - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

READ SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 7:13-14

Is. 7:13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!

Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Light Candle while the interpretation is read

Light candle #1, only.

INTERPRETATION

What if God lived among us?

What if God was one of us?

The person of Jesus Christ came and lived among us. Jesus is fully God and fully human. He came, He lived among us, He was one of us, and yet - He was more than just another human being: Jesus was, and Jesus is, ‘Immanuel’ which means, God is with us.

This morning we light the first candle, the candle of the hope that Jesus brings.

We may wonder, does God understand me? Does God understand what I face in life? Can God know my struggles from a human perspective?

The answer is a resounding yes!

The love of God is so powerful that He became like us in order to save us, and even more powerful, God remains with us with God the Holy Spirit.

All praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is God with us, Immanuel.

PRAYER

Lord God,

You are not distant. You are not held at arms length. You are our Immanuel, You are God with us. Instill in our hearts the knowledge that you are with us always, even tot he end of the age. Amen.

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Second Sunday Of Advent - O Little Town Of Bethlehem

READ SCRIPTURE

Micah . 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, (Ef-ra-tha)

though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’”

Light Candle while the interpretation is read

Light candles #1, #2 only.

INTERPRETATION

The village of Bethlehem was a small and insignificant town, yet here in this small village is where the most significant event in the history of humanity began.

This morning we light the second candle, Jesus coming as a servant.

Jesus, “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times “, had always existed. Jesus Christ is God incarnate. Jesus Christ holds complete power, authority, and dominion – yet He chose to come to us as a servant. Jesus comes to us as an insignificant person in an insignificant town, an infant in the little town of Bethlehem. Jesus comes to bring healing and wholeness, Jesus comes to defeat what we cannot, Jesus has come to defeat the sin that destroys our lives. Jesus comes as a servant, all glory be to Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

We praise you for your abundant grace and mercy. You who had all the power, authority and dominion, you gave it all up because of your love for us. This morning we ask that you, “cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today”…”O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.”

Amen.

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Third Sunday Of Advent – O Come All Ye Faithful

READ SCRIPTURE

Luke 2:13-20

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.