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Advent is a Latin
word meaning “to come.” During Advent Christians prepare themselves mentally
and spiritually for Jesus to come into the world. During Advent, we not only
celebrate Jesus’ birth, but we look forward to Messiah’s coming again to
complete all that a loving Yahweh intends for creation. Celebrating Advent
gives us the opportunity to catch our breath as move toward Christmas and to
experience the many spiritual joys of the season.
Advent is the first season of the Christian
year and includes the four Sundays before Christmas. The liturgical color for
advent is purple—a color of penitence (sorrowing for our brokenness and
seeking forgiveness) and preparation. (Purple is also the color for Lent—the
season leading up to Resurrection Sunday). The Advent scriptures include many
prophecies about the coming of Yahweh’s anointed one, the Messiah. These
powerful scriptures lead us to reflect on who Yahweh is and what Messiah’s
coming means now and will mean in the future for all creation that looks
towards the fulfillment of all Yahweh has promised.
There are many ways to celebrate Advent.
One is to make an Advent wreath—a circle of greenery with 3 purple & one
pink (or 4 purple) candles and a white candle in the middle. Each Sunday of
Advent one candle is lit until all four candles are burning on the 4th
Sunday. The white, or Messiah, candle is lit on Christmas Eve.
Here are some suggested words you
and/or your family can say as you light each candle on the advent wreath…
EACH SERVICE BEGINS WITH THESE WORDS:
Say together: “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’.”
_____ asks: “Why do we light (one, two, three, four, five) candle(s)?
Candle of Prophecy-Promise-Waiting
______ responds: “This candle reminds us of the light of hope that the prophets
had in their expectation of a Messiah who would bring peace and love to the
world.”
______ says and reads: “These scriptures tell what the prophets hoped for
when they though and prayed what Yahweh would do for his people.” Isaiah 9:2,
Isaiah 7:14
Sing: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” or “Come Thou Long-expected Jesus”
_____ prays: Dear Yahweh, our world is in darkness. We need the light of
peace and love to shine in our world. Help us to prepare our lives and our
homes to receive the One who said, ‘I am the light of the world’. We pray in
the name of Messiah, our Savior Yahshua. Amen.
Candle of Waiting and Preparation
_____responds: “The first candle reminds us of the light of hope of the
prophets. The second candle reminds us of the dark night when Joseph and Mary
found light and warmth in the stable.”
_____ says & reads: “These scriptures tell about the search for a place
for Joseph and Mary to spend the night.” Luke 2:1-7
Sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Away in a Manger”
_____prays: “Dear Yahweh, help us to have room in our hearts and our homes
for other persons who need us. We thank you for friends and strangers who
have received us when we were lonely or afraid or tired. May we be ready to
receive the love Yahweh offers us in his Son our Savior. Amen.
Shepherd’s Candle– Peace, Light, Joy (pink candle)
____ responds: “The first candle reminds us of the light of hope of the
prophets. The second candle reminds us of the dark night when Joseph and Mary
found light and warmth in the stable. The third candle reminds us of the
great light and joy which surrounded the shepherds at the announcement of
Jesus’ birth.”
____ says & reads: “These scriptures tell the story of the shepherd’s
search for the newborn baby. Luke 2:8-20 Sing “The First Noel” or “While
Shepherds Watched”.
____ prays: Dear Yahweh, we thank you for your gift of your son Yahshua to
the whole world. As the shepherds found him in a manger, may we find Yahshua in
the love and joy that we share together. Help us, O Yahweh, to love one
another. Help us to do our share to bring happiness, goodness, and peace to
the world. In Yahshua’s name. Amen.
Flame of Love Angels/Wise people from the East
______ responds: “The first candle reminds us of the light of hope of the
prophets. The second candle reminds us of the dark night when Joseph and Mary
found light and warmth in the stable. The third candle reminds us of the
great light and joy that surrounded the shepherds at the announcement of Yahshua’s
birth. The fourth candle reminds us of the light of the stars in the sky
which guided the Wise Men from the East to the manger and keep watch over us
by night.”
_____ says and reads: “These scriptures tell the story of the birth of Yahshua
as Matthew wrote it. Matthew 1:18-2:12
Sing “We Three Kings’ or “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
_____ prays: “O Yahweh, when we think of the birth of your Son we think of
love and lights and gifts and happy times. But, most of all, we think of His,
born in a cave or stable and grown up to be a loving teacher and our savior.
Help us to live the way Yahshua teaches us so that we may show the real
meaning of his birth, life, death and resurrection. Amen.”
Messiah Candle Joy/Adoration Christmas Eve
____says and reads: “This scripture tells the Christmas story.” Luke 2:1-20
or John 1
Sing “O Come All Ye Faithful” or “Joy to the World”
____prays: “O Yahweh, fill us with joy in the gift of Your Son. Enlighten the
whole world with the light of your Word, that all may praise Your Holy Name
and give You thanks. In the name of the light of the world, Yahshua of
Nazareth, we pray. Amen.
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