In the Christian church, the period of the four Sundays before Christmas is often referred to as the advent season. Advent, which comes from the Latin word meaning “Coming”, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church. The season of Advent celebrates the first coming of Christ into the world and also anticipates the second coming of Christ, bringing the fulfillment of God’s kingdom of justice and peace.
Many Christian churches celebrate Advent as a means of preparation for Christmas. Advent traditions include special readings, prayers and lighting advent candles. While many of these traditions are practiced as part of congregational worship, Advent also affords individuals and families the opportunity to incorporate traditions and prayers as private or family worship.
An advent wreath symbolizes God’s everlasting love and the gift of everlasting life. While traditions vary, one tradition which we follow at my church includes four advent candles representing hope, peace, joy and love. In this tradition, the joy candle is pink or rose (the liturgical color of joy), and the other advent candles are purple or violet (the liturgical color of preparation and patience). Some traditions also include a white candle in the center, which symbolizes Christ.
Each Sunday before Christmas, we light a new advent candle (starting with the hope candle and ending with the love candle). The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day.
For the past couple of years, I have displayed an advent wreath at my house with the plan of doing our own lighting of the candles and readings as a family. To be honest, the plan has never fully materialized and our family advent traditions have been sporadic at best. This year, I am making it easier for us to stick to the tradition by writing down our prayers and readings in advance.
I added a Christ candle in the center.
In 2019, Advent begins on December 1. If you would like to participate in this tradition as a family or individual this year, you can start with a simple wreath, white candles, or any candles you have. There are several Do-It-Yourself instructions for advent wreaths on the internet, but any wreath or your own arrangement of candles will do. I purchased my advent candles from a church supplies store. However, many other shops sell them. You can probably also find battery operated candles that are purple and pink.
You may use the following scripture verses and prayer for your advent practice.
First Sunday of Advent
Light the candle of hope
Scripture Reading
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the world of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Prayer
God of hope, we lift up all of those who are in need of your hope today. Those who are suffering under the crushing weight of violence and injustice. Those who have lost hope for a peaceful, safe world where there is no need for war or fear. Restore the hope in our hearts. Help us to embody your ways of peace and hope, now, as we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Second Sunday of Advent
Light the candles of hope and peace
Scripture Reading
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord — and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters over the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10
Prayer
God of peace, we lift up all of those who are in need of your peace today. Those who are suffering under the suffocating weight of conflict and fear. Those who are wrestling with anxiety and despair. May your peace reign in our hearts. Help us to spread your peace in the world even now, as we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Third Sunday of Advent
Light the candles of hope, peace and joy
Scripture Reading
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:39-55
Prayer
God of joy, we lift up all of those who are in need of your joy today. Those who are suffering under the heavy weight of sadness and grief. Those who are unable to see your light in a dark world. Be our light and joy in times of cheer and in times of sadness. Help us to spread your joy in the world as we celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Light the candles of hope, peace, joy and love
Scripture Reading
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
Prayer
God of love, we lift up all of those who are in need of your love today. Those who are suffering under the numbing weight of loneliness and emptiness. Those who struggle with shame and believe themselves to be unworthy of love. Fill our hearts with the assurance of your love for us. Help us to spread your love in the world as we celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Light the four advent candles and the Christ candle
Scripture Reading
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those 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.
Luke 2:1-20
Prayer
God of hope, peace, joy and love, thank you for choosing to dwell among us. Thank you for your everlasting love and your gift of grace. Help us to walk in your light and to make known your ways of peace, hope, joy and love in the world each day.
For more Advent activities, sign up for the newsletter below and receive a free Advent activities calendar!