The Advent Ceremony

The home ceremony for the Advent wreath is simple. Each day at home the appropriate number of candles are lit and everyone celebrates around the lighted Advent wreath. As the candles are lighted prayers may be said, carols may be sung, scriptures may be read, etc. The scripture readings should tell the Christmas story from its foretelling in Isaiah to its finish in the second chapter of Luke.

The celebration starts at the evening meal on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent with the blessing of the wreath. Following are some facts and ideas concerning the celebration during each specific time period of the 4-week Advent season (including the Christmas Eve celebration).

The Blessing of the Wreath

This takes place on the Saturday evening before the first Sunday of the Advent season. The head of the household (or the group leader) may say a prayer blessing the wreath and read some scripture (perhaps Isaiah 9:1-2, 6 as these verses speak to the promise of the light in the form of Jesus Christ) before another member of the family (or group) lights the first candle. Here is a simple prayer that may be used for this blessing:

"O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Through Christ our Lord."

And this is a prayer you might use after the candle is lit:

"O God, as light comes from this candle, may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us, warming our hearts and brightening our way. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of this world, and to us, as we wait for his coming."

Week 1

The first Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of "Hope". During the first week of Advent we light a single purple candle (the Prophecy Candle which announces the period of waiting), remembering the hope that Jesus gave us when He came to us in Bethlehem and gave light to the world. This is also a time for looking forward to His second coming in power to deliver His people.

Here is a prayer you might use for the first week of Advent:

"O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, we thank you for giving us promises of hope for our lives and for our family."

If you are celebrating Advent on a weekly basis, these are the suggested scripture readings for the first week:

Year A Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalms 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44

Year B Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalms 80:1-7, 17-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

Year c Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalms 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36

If you are intending to celebrate Advent on a daily basis, here are some passages of scripture you might use:

Sunday: Romans 13:11-14 Amos 1:1-5 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 21:5-19 Psalms 111, 112, 113	Monday: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Amos 2:6-16 2 Peter 1:1-11 Matthew 21:1-11 Psalms 4, 7	Tuesday: Mark 13:33-37 Amos 3:1-11 2 Peter 1:12-21 Matthew 21:12-22 Psalms 10, 11
Wednesday: John 1:1-5 Amos 3:12-4:5 2 Peter 3:1-10 Matthew 21:23-32 Psalms 12, 13, 14	Thursday: John 1:6-9 Amos 4:6-13 2 Peter 3:11-18 Matthew 21:33-46 Psalms 18:21-50	Friday: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Amos 5:1-17 Jude 1-16 Matthew 22:1-14 Psalms 22
Saturday: Isaiah 60:19-22 Amos 5:18-27 Jude 17-25 Matthew 22:15-22 Psalms 110:1-7, 116, 117

Week 2

The second Sunday in Advent is the Sunday of "Peace". We light the first candle as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God's promises to us. Then we light a second purple candle (the "Bethlehem" candle which is symbolic of the preparations made to receive and cradle the Christ child) as we remember that He brings peace that surpasses all understanding to all who trust Him.

Here is a prayer you might use for the second week of Advent:

"Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us through Jesus. We pray that it abides with us today and always."

If you are celebrating Advent on a weekly basis, these are the suggested scripture readings for the second week:

Year A Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalms 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12

Year B Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalms 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8

Year C Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79, 3:1-6 Phillipians 1:3-11

If you are intending to celebrate Advent on a daily basis, here are some passages of scripture you might use:

Sunday: Romans 15:4-13 Amos 6:1-14 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 1:57-68 Psalms 114, 115	Monday: Amos 7:1-9 Revelation 1:1-8 Matthew 22:23-33 Psalms 9, 15, 43:3-6	Tuesday: Amos 7:10-17 Revelation 1:9-16 Matthew 22:34-46 Psalms 27:1-4, 36, 39
Wednesday: Amos 8:1-14 Revelation 1:17-2:7 Matthew 23:1-12 Psalms 119:25-48, 105-106	Thursday: John 12:35-36 Amos 9:1-10 Revelation 2:8-17 Matthew 23:13-26 Psalms 37:19-42	Friday: Ephesians 5:6-14 Haggai 1:1-15 Revelation 2:18-29 Matthew 23:27-39 Psalms 35
Saturday: 1 Peter 2:5-9 Haggai 2:1-19 Revelation 3:1-6 Matthew 24:1-14 Psalms 42, 43

Week 3

The third Sunday of Advent is known as "Gaudete" Sunday or the Sunday of "Joy". We light the candles of Hope and Peace again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring to the world everlasting peace. Then we light the third candle of Advent (the Shepherd's Candle which typifies the act of sharing Christ). This is a pink or rose-colored candle instead of the penitential purple color. It reminds us of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver His people. It also reminds us of the joy experienced by the lowly shepherds who first experienced the joyous news of Christ's birth. As we light this candle, we also remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life, and that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy.

Here is a prayer you might use for the third week of Advent:

"Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for this gift."

If you are celebrating Advent on a weekly basis, these are the suggested scripture readings for the third week:

Year A Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalms 146:5-10 Luke 1:47-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Year B Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalms 126 Luke 1:47-55 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Year C Zephanaiah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Phillipians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18

If you are intending to celebrate Advent on a daily basis, here are some passages of scripture you might use:

Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-3 Amos 9:11-15 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3,13-17 John 5:30-47 Psalms 103	Monday: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Zechariah 1:7-17 Revelation 3:7-13 Matthew 24:15-31 Psalms 44	Tuesday: 1 John 1:4-7 Zechariah 2:1-13 Revelation 3:14-22 Matthew 24:32-44 Psalms 47, 48
Wednesday: John 3:16-21 Zechariah 3:1-10 Revelation 4:1-8 Matthew 24:45-51 Psalms 49, 53	Thursday: Isaiah 40:1-11 Zechariah 4:1-14 Revelation 4:9-5:5 Matthew 25:1-13 Psalms 50	Friday: John 9:1-7 Zechariah 7:8-8:8 Revelation 5:6-14 Matthew 25:14-30 Psalms 51
Saturday: Luke 3:1-6 Zechariah 8:9-17 Revelation 6:1-17 Matthew 25:31-46 Psalms 138, 139:1-23

Week 4

The fourth Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of "Love". We light the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting joy. We also light the final purple candle (the Angels' Candle of love and final coming) to remind us of the love that God has for us, and how that perfect love is found in Jesus. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Here is a prayer you might use for the fourth week of Advent:

"Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord."

If you are celebrating Advent on a weekly basis, these are the suggested scripture readings for the fourth week:

Year A Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalms 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25

Year B 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:26-38, 47-55 Psalms 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27

Year C Micah 5:2-5a Psalms 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, 46-55

If you are intending to celebrate Advent on a daily basis, here are some passages of scripture you might use:

Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10 Genesis 3:18-15 Revelation 12:1-10 John 3:16-21 Psalms 8, 84	Monday: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Titus 1:1-16 Luke 1:1-25 Psalms 112, 115	Tuesday: Matthew 1:18-25 1 Samuel 2:1b-10 Titus 2:1-10 Luke 1:26-38 Psalms 116, 117
Wednesday: Luke 1:39-56, 2:8-20 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Titus 2:11-3:8a Psalms 111, 113	Thursday: Matthew 4:14-16 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Galatians 3:1-14 Luke 1:57-66 Psalms 146, 147	Friday: Isaiah 2:1-5 Galatians 3:15-22 Luke 1:67-80 Matthew 1:1-17 Psalms 148, 150
Saturday: Luke 2:25-33 Galatians 3:23-4:7 Matthew 1:18-25 Isaiah 59:15b-21 Philippians 2:5-11 Psalms 89:1-29

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we celebrate the birth of the One who is the light of the world, Jesus Christ, born this night in Bethlehem of Judea. We again light the candle of hope to remind us of the promises made by all the prophets that God would raise up a saviour for His people. Christ is this hope. We again light the candle of peace to remind us that it is only with God and by following in His path that true peace can be found. Christ makes this peace possible. We again light the candle of joy to remind us that God gives joy to every heart that abides in Him. Christ's birth in us brings us this joy. And we again light the candle of love to remind us that Jesus is God's gift of love to us - and that in Him, the light of love triumphs over darkness. Perfect love is found in Christ.

Now we light the white candle in the center of the wreath -- the "Christ" candle. This Christ candle marks the culmination of the promise of a coming savior. We light the Christ candle to remind us that the light of the world was born on this night. On Christmas Eve, as that last candle is lit, remember the words of scripture, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

Here is a prayer you might use on Christmas Eve:

Almighty God - you have made this night holy by the gift of your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary. Upon Him rested all your grace, through Him has come all your mercy. Let His light shine within our hearts tonight even more brightly than it shines from the candles in this place. Help us to hear your word and to celebrate your everlasting love through Him. Amen

These are the suggested scriptures for Christmas Eve:

Years A, B, and C Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalms 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20