Advent Candle Ceremony #2
Introduction: Week One
Advent is a time of joyful expectation of the coming of the Lord. It is a time of conversion and renewal, a time of watching and waiting, a time of new beginnings, a time to experience the power of God. It is above all else a time of hope, peace and joy. One of the most beautiful symbols of the Advent season that can be used is the Advent wreath.
The Advent wreath carries with it many rich symbols. The circle represents eternity. A circle has no beginning and no end, just as God’s love and forgiveness have no beginning and no end. The evergreen symbolizes life, hope and growth, because it is always green. The candles symbolize the light that the gospel has brought into the world. With this light we should look into ourselves and recognize our need for the coming of Christ. At this time we will have the lighting of the first candle.
Readers Week One
The first candle we will light will help us to remember that we always need to watch for Christ’s coming. Just as the people waited for the first coming of Christ, we also wait for His second coming. In Mark 13:32-37 it says:
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the door keeper to watch.
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Prayer: Father of light, today we begin our time of preparation for the birthday of your Son. May the light of this candle remind us that You have given hope to a people who have walked in darkness. As we look upon this candle may we remember that we are to always watch and wait for your coming. Amen.
Introduction: Week Two
The first candle we lit was to help us remember that we always need to watch for Christ’s coming. Just as the people down through the centuries watched and waited for the first coming of Christ, we also are to watch and wait for His second coming. The candle we will light today will remind that we are to turn from our sin - for Christ is coming.
Readers Week Two
The second candle we will light will help us to remember that we always need to be spiritually prepared for Christ’s coming. Just as the people prepared spiritually for the first coming of Christ, we also must prepare spiritually for His second coming. In Mark 1:4-8 we find these words written:
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed in camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: Father of lights, today we continue to prepare for the coming of your Son. May the lighting of this candle remind us that we must prepare spiritually. Let us reflect your life in all that we say and do. Give us strength to repent of our ways, rid us of angry thoughts, bitter words, selfishness and anything that distracts us from Your light. And may our hearts be prepared at your coming. Amen.
Introduction: Week Three
The first candle we lit was to help us remember that we always need to watch for Christ’s coming. The second candle was to remind us that we are to prepare ourselves spiritually by turning from our sin. The third candle is here to remind us that we have a message to carry to the world.
Readers Week Three
Before Jesus came, a messenger was sent to tell of his coming. We too are God’s massagers to the world around us. We prepare for Christ’s in our own homes, but we need to tell others of Christ’s coming so they too can be prepared. In John 1:6-13 we find these words:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He Came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Prayer: Father of lights, this is a time of caring and sharing. A time for smiling and singing. A time for rejoicing in life itself. Let us open our hearts fully to others. Let our faces radiate the joy of Your coming so that everyone we meet will know of You and the gift of life you bring. Help us to share the good news. Amen.
Introduction: Week Four
Today we come to the last and final candle before Christmas. The first candle we lit was to help us remember that we always need to watch for Christ’s coming. The second candle was to remind us that we are to prepare ourselves spiritually by turning from our sin. The third candle was to remind us that we have a message to carry to the world. Today’s candle is lit to help us remember that God still preforms miracles in this would.
Readers Week Four
The Birth of Jesus was a miracle. A virgin conceived and gave birth to a son. But not just any son, He was the Son of God. God still works miracles. He can take a heart of cold stone and change it to a heart of flesh. In Luke 1:26-38 we find these words:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maid-servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Prayer: Father of lights, You are the light of the world. You have come to strengthen the weary,
to guide the lost, to walk with the lonely. You are the hope of all people. Teach us to realize Your presence in our lives, and continue to do miracles daily. Amen.
Christmas Eve
We come this Christmas Eve to light the final candle of the advent wreath. It is White to symbolize purity and holiness of Christ. It is lit alone to tell us that there is only one way to get to Our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” It stands as a single light for he is the “Light of the World”. It is not hidden under a basket. It is not placed in a closet. It is placed were all can see, for Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.”
And so we come at this time to light the final advent candle - which is remind us of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, today we welcome the coming of your son - Jesus Christ our Lord. We are a people of darkness, who live in a dark land. As we view this candle may we remember that you are faithful and that your promises still burn brightly in our lives.
