Lighting the Advent Wreath from St. Stephen s United Methodist Church
Why are we lighting a candle? As we celebrate the beginning of the season of Advent, we join with Christians around the world to light the candle of HOPE. We wait with hope and anticipation for God s love to be revealed. The Jews had to wait hundreds and hundreds of years for the Messiah that God had promised. They must have felt that the Messiah would never arrive. But the candle of their hope never went out. Isaiah, a prophet, said the Jews were like people in the dark: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: Light has dawned upon them. (Isaiah 9:2-4) We wait with hope and expectation for the Light of the World to be revealed. We light this candle as a symbol of our hope. light a blue or purple candle Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. All Pray Together: Dear God, sometimes we just have to wait. We wait our turn, we wait to grow up, we wait for Christmas to come again. The Jews had to wait for the Messiah. Mary had to wait for baby Jesus to be born. We do not like to wait, but you help us by sending the light of hope, as if to say, Be patient. It will be worth the wait. Thank you for HOPE. Amen.
Reader 1 Reader 2 Reader 3 Reader4 Reader 1 Reader 2 Reader 3 Reader 4 This candle is a symbol of our HOPE. Why do we light a second candle? We light this candle as a symbol of PEACE. Peace on earth, good will to all? Right! That was the message the angels brought on the first Christmas. On earth peace, good will toward all. (Luke 2:14) What happened? We don t have peace on earth. Well...we don t, and yet we do. On this earth, we still have wars and violence and hatred. But whenever two nations or even two people get along, there is a measure of peace. We can have peace in our hearts, and we can live peaceably. When we do this, we help spread peace on earth. We wait in hope for the day when the angels song of peace and goodwill is real in all the world. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, children all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. All Pray Together: Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. How desperately the world needs the PEACE you offer. Teach us to live lovingly, to be concerned with all your children. May we be your peaceful people and spread your PEACE throughout the world. Amen.
The Advent season encourages us to be joyful always; to pray continually and to give thanks in all circumstances; this is God s will promised to us in Jesus Christ. I remember that the first candle stands for HOPE. The second candle speaks to us of PEACE. What does the third candle stand for? This candle represents JOY. light the pink candle I think Christmas is the happiest time of the whole year! And why do you suppose that is? Because of all the excitement and presents? Presents are a very important part of Christmas. In giving each other presents, we are copying God, for God gave the whole world a gift on the first Christmas. The baby Jesus! 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. All Pray Together: God of joy, we find great delight in the way you chose to share our humanity born of o woman who glorified you. Strengthen us to glorify you in HOPE and PEACE and JOY, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We light the first candle, which reminds us to have HOPE, for our hope is in God. We light the second candle, which reminds us of God s promise of PEACE on earth. We light the third candle, reminding us to find some JOY in each day we are given. light the pink candle Today we light the fourth candle, the candle of LOVE. light the last blue or purple candle What is love? The Bible says that love is patient and kind. Love is faithful and endless. It also says that God is love. The hymn tells us that: Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine Love came down at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign. Love shall be our token, love be yours and love be mine. Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign. What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. All Pray Together: Lord, may the light of this candle light our path through life, so that our way is the way of LOVE and kindness. This way, may everyone we meet know that we are people of God. Amen.