Fourth Advent
Advent Readings for the Worship Service
 

     General Introduction (repeated each week or not, as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

 

Lighting The First Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

Responsive Reading:

Today we enter Advent, a season of possibilities, a time of "not yet." But daily lives reflect human struggles. Sometimes we are surrounded by brokenness--in our lives, among our friends and families, in our worldwide family. Hope seems a far-off vision; yet we yearn for it to fill us. We cry together.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

When hope is lost,

Restore us, o God.

When people are hurting,

Restore us, O God.

When nations are fighting, (bold) Restore us, O God. When children are hungry,

Restore us, O God.

Restore us, God of Life. Bring us closer to hope, the hope that lights the way on the journey to Bethlehem. During this season of waiting may we be open to signs of your restoring love. As we light this first Advent Candle, let us pray for God's restoration in the midst of brokenness and despair.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen.

 

 

Lighting The Second Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

Responsive Reading for 2nd Advent:

L: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ the Way.

P:  May the Word sent from God through the prophets
     lead us to the way of salvation.

L:  May the Love of Christ fill our hearts and minds;

P:  May we be found faithful to His commission on the Day
      of our Lord's glorious return.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel, or other Advent hymn

 

 

Lighting The Third Candle Of The Advent Wreath

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:10

Responsive Reading for 3rd. Advent

L: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Joy

P: May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation.

L: May the Joy of Christ fill our hearts and minds

P: May the joy of our salvation spread to our neighbors and our communities until all the world chimes into our shouts of praise.

Hymn: "Joy to the World"  or other Advent song

 

Advent Reading for 3rd Advent:

Third Week: WATCH . . . 

Why do we watch? Because the weather of our hearts is frosty . . Because night's dimness makes knowledge rare . . 

Why do we watch? Because three candles make a small glow . . Because one star brightens the firmament . . . 

Why do we watch? Because the stars themselves are watching . . . Because the sun and moon are eclipsed . . . 

Why do we watch? We watch for the world's hope . . We watch for the Star . . . 

(Third Verse of "People, Look East") Stars keep the watch, when night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way.

 

Lighting The Fourth Candle Of The Advent Wreath

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Responsive Reading for 4th Advent:

L: We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace
P: May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy.
L: May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts and minds
P: We eagerly await the arrival of the King of Glory.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel

 

Advent Reading 

Fourth Week: REJOICE . . . When is the time to rejoice? When the angels laugh and the mountains sing and the earth yields its fruit and the world is cherished and the sinner forgiven and the doubter brought home and the poor one is raised and the proud one is humbled and our cold hearts are melted and the baby is born and the King is recognized and the Savior is lullabied and Jesus . . the Lord . . comes to us: Then, then is the time to rejoice. (Fourth Verse) Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way