Lighting a candle is a simple yet profound act. It is a testimony to the power of light over darkness. Something we will experience later during the candle lighting. Four weeks ago we began our journey toward Christmas and lit the first candle of advent, the Hope or Prophecy candle.
[Read Isaiah 7:14 and Romans 15:12-13 and light the front right purple candle]
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Three weeks ago we lit the second candle of advent, the Peace candle. Let us remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins, and give us peace with God.
[Read Isaiah 9:6-7 and light the front left purple candle]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Two weeks ago we lit the candle of Joy.
[Read Luke 2:8-11 and light the rear pink candle]
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.
Last week we lit the Love candle.
[Read John 3:16-17 and light the rear purple candle]
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus Christ is the true reason for hope, peace, joy, and love in this season and forever.
As we light the Christ candle, celebrating the end of Advent and the arrival of Christ and Christmas, let us remember how our savior came once as a lowly baby, that the world through him might be saved, and how he will return one day in glory.
[Read John 1:9-14 and light the center white candle]
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
[Read John 8:12]
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
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You can find several more years of Advent readings here. Please feel free to use these Advent readings in your church. Our worship team leader Andy Bradshaw put together this Christmas Advent 2016 reading using a variety of resources, taking bits and pieces from several websites as well as combining those ideas with his own original thoughts.