The First Sunday in Advent - Candle of Prophecy Second Sunday in Advent - Bethlehem Candle

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The First Sunday in Advent - Candle of Prophecy Second Sunday in Advent - Bethlehem Candle THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT - CANDLE OF PROPHECY SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT - BETHLEHEM CANDLE LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE AS THE FAMILY SAYS TOGETHER: LIGHT TWO CANDLES AS THE FAMILY SAYS TOGETHER Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." not walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life." A CHILD ASKS: A CHILD ASKS: Why do we light one candle? Why do we light two candles? A PARENT RESPONDS: A PARENT RESPONDS: This candle reminds us of the light of hope that the prophets The first candle reminds us of the light of hope of the prophets. had in their expectation of a Messiah who would bring peace The second candle reminds us of the dark night when Joseph and love to the world. and Mary found light and warmth in the stable. READ WHAT THE PROPHETS HOPED FOR WHEN THEY THOUGHT READ ABOUT THE SEARCH FOR A PLACE FOR JOSEPH AND AND PRAYED ABOUT WHAT GOD WOULD DO FOR HIS PEOPLE. MARY TO SPEND THE NIGHT The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Read Luke 2: 1-7. those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined. (Isaiah 9:2) SING 0, LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Emmanuel. (“Emmanuel” means “God with us”) (Isaiah 7: 14) Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight SING O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above O Come, 0 Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. wondering love Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel! O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth O Come, thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord'rest all things And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth. mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to PRAY: go. Dear God, help us to have room in our hearts and our homes Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel! for other persons who need us. We thank you for friends and strangers who have received us when we were lonely or PRAY afraid or tired. May we be ready to receive the love God Dear God, our world is in darkness. We need the light of peace offers us in Jesus. We pray in the name of Christ our Lord, and love to shine in our world. Help us to prepare our lives and Amen. our homes to receive the One who said, "I am the light of the world." THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT - SHEPHERD'S CANDLE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT - STAR CANDLE LIGHT THREE CANDLES AS THE FAMILY SAYS TOGETHER: LIGHT FOUR CANDLES, AS THE FAMILY SAYS TOGETHER: Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world, he who follows me will Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." not walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life." A CHILD ASKS: A CHILD ASKS: Why do we light three candles? Why do we light four candles? A PARENT RESPONDS: The first candle is a reminder of the light of hope of the A PARENT RESPONDS: prophets. The second candle is a symbol of the Light and The first candle is a reminder of the light of hope of the warmth Joseph and Mary found in the stable. The third candle prophets. The second candle is a symbol of the light and reminds us of the great light and joy which surrounded the warmth Joseph and Mary found in the stable. The third candle shepherds at the announcement of Jesus' birth. reminds us of the great light and joy which surrounded the shepherds at the announcement of Jesus' birth. The fourth READ THE STORY OF THE SHEPHERD'S SEARCH FOR THE candle reminds us of the light of the stars in the sky which NEWBORN JESUS: guided the Wise men to Jesus and which keep watch over us at Read Luke 2:8-20 night. SING THE FIRST NOEL READ THE STORY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS AS MATTHEW The first Noel, the angels did say, WROTE IT: Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; Read Matthew 1:18 - 2:12 In fields where they lay keeping their sheep SING OR LISTEN TO WE THREE KINGS On a cold winter's night that was so deep. We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. SING WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. While shepherds watched their flocks by night Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. All seated on the ground, PRAY: The angel of the Lord came down, O God, when we think of Christmas we think of love and lights And glory shone around, and glory shone around. and gifts and happy times. But, most of all, we think of Jesus, PRAY: born in a manger and grown up as a loving savior. Help us to live Dear God, we thank you for your gift of Jesus to the whole the way Jesus teaches us so that we may show the real meaning world. As the shepherds found Jesus in a manger, may we find of Christmas. Amen Jesus in the love and joy that we share together. Help us, 0 God, to love one another. Help us to do our share to bring happiness, goodness and peace to the world. Amen. .
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