For the next few weeks our attention during worship experiences worldwide will turn toward the season of Advent.
Advent is the 4 weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The word Advent means “the coming” or “the arrival” because just as the people of God waited for hundreds of years for the promised Messiah, modern day Christians eagerly await the return of the Messiah to make all things right. The beautiful thing about Christmas is that it is not just about celebrating the birth of our Savior 2,000 years ago, but the celebration that Jesus Christ can be born into our lives today.
If you are looking for a way to incorporate the four themes of Advent into your worship experience, consider involving families from your congregation with Advent readings each week. Each week will focus on hope, peace, joy and love. To fully embrace the richness of Christmas, begin by inviting people into the anticipation that leads to the arrival of the Savior!
Week 1: It’s time for Hope
Week 2: It’s time for Peace
Reader 1: The promised Messiah was spoken of as the Prince of peace. The Israelite people had not known a time when they were not ruled over by an oppressive Roman government. To them, this Messiah would finally arrive and free them from unjust rule.
Reader 2: Jesus’ peace did not mean an absence of conflict, but it did promise the presence of God. Many of us have circumstances in our lives that are hard to bear, but in our times of trial we can know a peace that passes all understanding.
Reader 3: Last week we lit the first candle of Advent and found hope for our lives in the arrival of Jesus. (light first candle) This week we light the second candle of Advent as we discover peace that comes from the presence of God in our hearts. (light second candle)
Reader 4: Would you join me in reading this prayer… God, now more than ever, we are in need of your peace. May your presence in our midst comfort us in our time of need. Come Lord Jesus, Come.
Week 3: It’s time to behold
Week 4: It’s time for Joy
Reader 1: Angels heralded the birth of the Messiah and kings came from the east to worship and marvel that the God of the universe would care about us in our sinful state. We also marvel that God would step into our world, broken and marred by sin and be Emmanuel, God with us.
Reader 2: The knowledge that God is made himself accessible to us, and that he cannot be stopped or deterred, brings us great comfort and great joy, even as we still live in a world with sorrow and pain.
Reader 3: We lit the first candle of advent and found hope for our lives in the arrival of Jesus. (light first candle) Next, we lit the second candle of Advent as we discovered peace that comes from the presence of God in our hearts. (light second candle) Last week we lit the third candle of Advent as we beheld our savior, Jesus. Today we light the fourth candle of advent because of the great joy we have in a God who came into our mess to heal us. (light fourth candle)
Reader 4: Would you join me in reading this prayer… God, we are filled with joy at the thought of your compassion for us. Thank you for being Emmanuel, God with us. Come Lord Jesus, Come.
Week 5: It’s time for Christmas
Reader 1: The time has finally come to celebrate Christmas. With all the strength we could muster we have waited patiently to celebrate the birth of God’s son on earth.
Reader 2: We lit the first candle of advent and found hope for our lives in the arrival of Jesus. (light first candle) Next, we lit the second candle of Advent as we discovered peace that comes from the presence of God in our hearts. (light second candle) We lit the third candle of advent as we beheld our Savior, Jesus. (light the third candle) We lit the fourth candle of Advent because of the great joy we have in a God who came into our mess to heal us. (light fourth candle)
Reader 3: Today, on Christmas Eve we light the Christ candle. (light the Candle) With great excitement we light this candle because Jesus is the center of the Advent season. We recognize Jesus Christ as our true source of hope, peace, and joy.
Reader 4: Would you join me in reading this prayer… God, thank you for your son, Jesus. Christmas is all about his coming and his return. Come Lord Jesus, Come.
Week 6: It’s time for Love
Reader 1: Revealing His love for the world, God sent His only Son so that we may live through Him. It is His love that brought heaven to earth, and it is this same love that redeems, reconciles, transforms, and makes all things new.
Reader 2: We lit the first candle of advent and found hope for our lives in the arrival of Jesus. (light first candle) Next, we lit the second candle of Advent as we discovered peace that comes from the presence of God in our hearts. (light second candle) We lit the third candle of advent as we beheld our Savior, Jesus. (light the third candle) We lit the fourth candle of Advent because of the great joy we have in a God who came into our mess to heal us. (light fourth candle) During Christmas Eve and Christmas day we light the Christ candle as we recognize him as our source of hope, peace, joy and love. (light the Christ Candle)
Reader 3: Would you join me in reading this prayer… God, thank you for loving us enough that you would sacrifice your life on a cross. We believe you defeated death and we eagerly anticipate your return. Come Lord Jesus, Come.
