Advent by Candlelight November 29, 1987

Christmas is all about the Light of the world. Advent reminds us that there is still much darkness. It is a darkness made up of sin, ignorance, hate and pride. To remind themselves of the growing power of Christ, the Light, Christians have long made and used Advent wreaths.

The wreath is covered with evergreens, just as this particular species of tree is always green, so our hope for eternity is always sure because it is based on Christ. Green is the color of life and growth. Around our wreath we will pray to God to bring us closer to him and help us stay alive and grow in faith and hope.

The wreath is also in the form of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. What better way to picture eternity in our minds than this? Our life with God is everlasting, beginning, always, now. The candles are significant both in their color and in their light. The three purple candles are symbolic of our joy in the knowledge that Jesus came to take away our sins. During these next four weeks we want to look inward and see ourselves as the sinners we are. The light these candles put forth may be small, but these flames grow brighter each week and stress the growing power of Christ Jesus over darkness.

Let us ask God for strength as we use this worship aid, and pray that we may use it to glorify him.

Responsive reading Leader: Jesus, named Immanuel; Jesus, Son of man; Jesus, our brother; Jesus, Word of God Ladies: We thank and praise you for becoming flesh to dwell among us. Leader: We have beheld your glory, the glory of the only-begotten of the Father Ladies: Full of grace and truth. Leader: Jesus, Star of Jacob; Jesus, Sun of Righteousness; Jesus, Dayspring from on high; Jesus, Light of the world Ladies: Lighten our darkness, and shine through our hearts in witness to others. Leader: There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness; Ladies: To bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. Leader: Jesus, Great Counselor; Jesus, everlasting Father, Ladies: Bless our homes, unite us in faith with thee and in love with one another. Leader: As many as receive him, to them he gives power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, Ladies: Which are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Leader: Jesus, Scepter of Israel; Jesus, Son of David; Jesus, Prince of Peace; Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Ladies: Cleanse our politics here upon earth, but especially rule over us in your kingdom. Leader: All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made. Ladies: In him was life, and the life was the light of men. Leader: Please join me in praying: Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make thee a bed soft, undefiled within my heart that it may be a quiet chamber, kept for thee. Amen.

Prophecy Candle Advent is a word which means coming. Between now and Christmas we will be hearing about the coming of Jesus. We know that Jesus has already come to earth.

The first candle we light in the Advent wreath is called the Prophecy Candle. (Light candle while choir sings the 1 st verse of appropriate hymn) To prophecy means to tell about something that is going to happen in the future. Long before Jesus was born, God promised he would send a Savior. We will hear how Jesus’ coming was promised long ago. (Group sings “Savior of the Nations, Come”)

Readings: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1 and 10, Matthew 1:22-23

(Group sings “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Behold a Branch is Growing”)

Bethlehem Candle The second candle we light is the Bethlehem candle. (Light candle while choir sings the 2nd verse of appropriate hymn). It reminds us that Jesus was born to be the Savior of all people. Long before Jesus was born God promised Abraham that the Savior was to come for all people because all people need to have their sins taken away by him.

When Jesus was born God sent special messengers to tell the people that the Savior had come to earth. These special messengers were the angels who appeared to the shepherds. The Bethlehem candle not only represents the birthplace of Jesus, but the announcement of his birth to all people.

Reading: Micah 5: 2,4,5

(Group sings “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “O Come All Ye Faithful”)

Shepherd Candle The third candle we light is the Shepherd candle. (Light candle while choir sings the 3rd verse of appropriate hymn). It tells us that Jesus has come into our hearts and into our lives. We light the Shepherd candle to remind us that our faith should be like the shepherds’ faith. We should love the Lord more than anything else and believe him always.

Our faith does not stop in our hearts. It must proceed to our lips. We must tell others about our faith in Jesus. We are saved because we believe Jesus was born to save us from our sins. We will want to tell others that he was born and died to save them too. This is faith in our lives.

Reading: Luke 2:8-20

(Group sings “While by My Sheep I Watched at Night” and “To Shepherds as They Watched by Night”)

Angel Candle The fourth candle we light is called the Angel candle. (Light candle while choir sings the 4th verse of appropriate hymn). The Angel candle reminds us that Jesus will come again with all his angels on the Last Day.

Jesus was born on earth to be the Savior of all men. But Jesus did not come to make this earth into a wonderful place to live. Instead he came so we might be able to go to the most wonderful place we could ever imagine. He came to earth to die for us so we might go to his kingdom in heaven.

There are many preparations being made for Christmas but in this Advent season we want to remember that we need to prepare for the special day when Jesus will come to take us to heaven. That day will be a joyful day for all believers. On that day Jesus will take all those who are his disciples into heaven to be with him. There we will live forever with him in complete happiness.

Reading: Matthew 25:31-40

(Group sings “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Angels from the Realms of Glory”)

Lighting of the individual candles : Will our hostesses please light their candles and pass the light on.

Closing prayer Jesus is the answer to the four Advent candles. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of old. He was the Savior born in Bethlehem. Jesus has entered into our hearts through faith. He will come again to take us to heaven.

Let us pray: Praise God the Father for sending his Son to be our Savior from sin. Praise God the Son for coming to earth to be our Savior and for the day when he will come again to take us to heaven. Praise God the Holy Spirit for giving us faith and making us Christ’s disciples. Praise God forevermore. Hallelujah! Amen.

Please join us now in singing “Silent Night”