Advent Week 4 & Christmas

FOURTH SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Wise Men Candle

(These are in reverse order. Scroll down to go to the beginning readings.) 

On this Sunday before Christmas, add the light of the purple Wise Men Candle to that of the other three candles. The readings focus on the wise men, wisdom, and the One who is all-wise.

Sunday

Matthew 2:1-12

Monday

James 1:5; 3:13-18

Tuesday

1 Corinthians 1:17-30

Wednesday

Daniel 2:20-30

Thursday

1 Corinthians 3:11-23

Friday

Job 28:12-28; Psalm 111:10

Saturday

Proverbs 1:1-10; Psalm 90:12

CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christ Candle 

On Christmas Eve (or Christmas morning), light the larger red Christ Candle in the center of the wreath, if you have one, along with the other four. Through the weeks, the light of your wreath has grown brighter, and with the celebration of Christ's birth, the message becomes clearer that the Light of the World has overcome the darkness. With your family and friends, read John 8:12, 9:4-5; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; and 1 John 1:6-7. Sing your favorite carols in celebration because in Isaiah's words, "The people that have walked in the darkness have seen a great light." 

On Christmas day, relight all the candles and read together the familiar story of Christ's birth in Luke 2:1-20. 

(Our family does not light the Christ Candle until Christmas morning.) 

Advent Week 3

THIRD SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Shepherds Candle

The shepherds' response to the angelic message was to "make known abroad" what they had seen and heard (Luke 2:17). On this third Sunday in Advent, add the light of the green Shepherds Candle to that of the other two while you read the following passages:

Sunday

Luke 2:8-20

Monday

Psalm 23; 79:13; 96:7; 100:3

Tuesday

Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:11-14; 1 Peter 2:25

Wednesday

Isaiah 40:1-11; Hebrew 13:20-21

Thursday

John 10:1-18, 27-29

Friday

Matthew 9:35-38; John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:2-4

Saturday

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-31

CAROLS:

While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks

The First Noel 

Advent Week 2

SECOND SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Angels Candle

Last week's readings focused on God's words through the prophets that foretold the circumstances surrounding the birth, life, and death of His Son, Jesus. Angelic pronouncements added to the light given by the prophets. On the second Sunday of Advent, ask the youngest child to relight the gold Prophets Candle. Have the oldest child light the white Angels Candle. By the light of these two candles read the selected Scriptures, sing and pray together each day.

Sunday

Luke 1:5-25

Monday

Luke 1:26-38; Psalm 34:7

Tuesday

Matthew 1:18-25

Wednesday

Luke 2:8-14

Thursday

Matthew 2:13-21; Psalm 91:11-12

Friday

Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; Matthew 28:2-4;

Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Saturday

Daniel 7:9-10; Revelation 5:11-12;

II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Matthew 24:31

CAROLS: 

The First Noel

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Angels We Have Heard on High

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 

Advent Week 1

I have been using an Advent Wreath since the 1980s when my church had an insert in the bulletin for this great practice. That was back when no people from my denomination would even think about celebrating Advent. Now, it is all the rage!

Below is from that original insert, and I do not know who the author is. It is a non-traditional approach to Advent in that the candles are multiple colors and not the traditional three purple, one pink, and one white in the middle. For the traditional approach, I heartily suggest Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman. There is an Advent Service in that book that we do every Sunday of Advent.

PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS

Over the years Christians have felt the need to prepare themselves for Christmas. This was never more true than today when the secular influence and interpretation of Christmas all but bury the truth.

The beautiful custom of Advent has helped many to keep their focus on Christ. The word "Advent" means "coming" and refers to the coming of Jesus. The season of Advent is a four-week preparation period for Christmas. 

(Carol's Note: Make sure you start four Sundays before Christmas. It is a different date every year.)

Advent also traditionally includes an Advent wreath with four candles around it. The progressive lighting of the candles represents the dispelling of darkness by the coming of our Lord. This week you might prepare a simple wreath of evergreens and place around it four candles as follows: gold symbolizing prophets, white for angels, green for shepherds, and purple for wisemen. Place a larger red candle in the center of the wreath to represent Christ.

Choose a place to have your Advent worship service and put the wreath there in preparation. This provides a place for your family to come together each day to read the Scriptures and pray. You might discuss beforehand what time of the day would be best. Many families find that the time right after dinner is the most workable. 

"Now while the people were in a state of expectation . . . " Luke 3:15

The Prophets Candle

FIRST SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

Gather the family together around the Advent wreath with candles and ask the youngest child to light the gold Prophets Candle. Read the Scripture passage for the day, sing carols, and give thanks to God.

This short service is repeated each evening during the week by the light of only one candle.

Sunday

2 Peter 1:19-21; Isaiah 7:13-14; Matthew 1:18-23

Monday

Hebrews 1:1-3; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 4:13-16

Tuesday

Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-11; Acts 26:22-29

Wednesday

Isaiah 53; Matthew 27:12-14; 27:38; 27:57-60

Thursday

Zechariah 9:9; 11:12-13; 12:10; 

Matthew 21:1-11; 26:15; 27:3-10; John 19:37

Friday

Isaiah 42:1-7; Matthew 12:17-21; Luke 2:32

Saturday

Psalm 22:1-18; Matthew 27:35-46

CAROLS: 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Preparing for Advent

Advent Wreath Glow
Photo by Carol Weaver.
Please ask permission before copying

Advent candles are often on sale over the Thanksgiving holiday. So now is the time to go and get your candles for your wreath!

We have done this celebration since the first year of our marriage. It is our favorite family time over the holidays. My kids still love to do it, and they are both adults.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, which means "arrival" or "coming") is the first season of the liturgical year. It begins four Sundays before Christmas, the Sunday falling on or nearest to 30 November, and ends on Christmas Eve. Traditionally observed as a "fast", it focuses on preparation for the coming of Christ, not only the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas, but also, in the first weeks, on the eschatological final coming of Christ, making Advent "a period for devout and joyful expectation".^[8] This season is often marked by the Advent Wreath, a garland of evergreens with four candles. Although the main symbolism of the advent wreath is simply marking the progression of time, many churches attach themes to each candle, most often 'hope', 'faith', 'joy', and 'love.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent)

On Sunday evenings, we gather around our Advent Wreath and sing "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and do the Advent Ceremony in Martha Zimmerman's excellent book, Celebrating the Christian Year. We do different colors of candles than the ones Martha suggests. Do what you feel comfortable with!

This book is a goldmine with background, history, Scriptures, equipment necessary, and recipes for not only Advent but for celebrations all year long! 

For younger kids, the Advent Reading books by Arnold Ytreeide were a big hit with our kids. There is a cliffhanger every night!

(They were so hard to find back when my kids were little that I sent the next in the series that we were not using to my girlfriend in Colorado because they were selling for over $100, and her kids were wanting the next installment! There are now many copies.)

I guarantee your family will be on the edge of their seat every night begging for more!

Here is the order of the Advent series: