This candle lighting liturgy originally appeared in "Six Biblical Characters, Six Streams of Faith: A Series for Advent and Christmas"
Reading for the Lighting of the Advent Candle
Advent 1
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
The prophet Isaiah said, “The Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)
We rejoice that we too have found favor with God.
God’s mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.
And so we join Mary in the song she sings.
All sing: “Magnify the Lord” Berthier
Advent 2
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
Its light reminds us of Jesus, the Light of the world. “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4, 5)
“Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
“If we walk in the light, as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
“For you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
Jesus said, “Everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.” (John 12:46)
All sing: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (st. 4) Brooks
Advent 3
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
Isaiah the prophet calls us to prepare for the coming of Jesus by making straight all that is crooked:
“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3)
“Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5)
Let us prepare the way for Jesus, the Christ, who is anointed by God “to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
“For as a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)
All Sing: “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” (st. 7) Helmore
Advent 4
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
The shepherds were the first to hear the joyful announcement of Christ’s birth—the “good news of great joy for all the people.” (Luke2:10)
Upon seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.” (Luke 2:18)
We have also heard this wonderful news. We “welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
“Though you have not seen Jesus, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him.” (1 Peter 1:8)
And we “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)
All sing: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (st. 2) Van Dyke
Christmas Day
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
Jesus Christ is the brightest revelation of God’s love. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)
“Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6)
“But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory.” (John 1:14)
“The glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
All sing: “Silent Night! Holy Night!” (st. 2) Mohr and Harmsel
