The Family Advent Wreath • 2013 • First United Methodist Church of Hurst An Advent Wreath is a simple wreath with 4 candles: 3 purple (or blue) and 1 pink. If you have younger children, feel free to use electric candles. You can wrap the base with purple and pink paper, or simply tie a ribbon to each one to represent the colors of Advent. Often a white candle is placed in the center of the wreath, to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Each Sunday of Advent, you will light an additional candle. Following is a guide for your family time as you light the Advent candles. 1st Sunday in Advent: Hope Reader 1: Today we think about HOPE. God’s people spent a long time waiting and hoping for the Savior, the Messiah, that God promised. Reader 2: We light this first candle of Advent, the candle of HOPE. Light a purple candle. Reader 3: Read Jeremiah 33:14-16 Share: What does hope mean to you? What do you hope for? All: Thank you, God for keeping your promises. As we wait for the birth of Jesus, we remember that he is our source of hope in this world. Amen.
Transcript
The Family Advent Wreath
• 2013 •
First United Methodist Church of Hurst
An Advent Wreath is a simple wreath with 4 candles: 3 purple (or blue) and 1 pink. If you have younger children, feel free to use electric candles. You can wrap the base with purple and pink paper, or simply tie a ribbon to each one to represent the colors of Advent. Often a white candle is placed in the center of the wreath, to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Each Sunday of Advent, you will light an additional candle. Following is a guide for your family time as you light the Advent candles.
1st Sunday in Advent:
HopeReader 1: Today we think about HOPE. God’s people spent a
long time waiting and hoping for the Savior, the Messiah, that God promised.
Reader 2: We light this first candle of Advent, the candle of HOPE.
Light a purple candle.
Reader 3: Read Jeremiah 33:14-16
Share: What does hope mean to you? What do you hope for?
All: Thank you, God for keeping your promises. As we wait for the birth of Jesus, we remember that he is our source of hope in this world. Amen.
Reader 1: Today we think about LOVE. We remember that God is love, and that God’s love will never leave us.
Reader 2: God loved God’s people so much that God came to earth in the form of a human to show us that love first-hand.
Light purple candle from last week We light the second candle of Advent, the candle of LOVE
Light a second purple candle
Reader 3: Read Isaiah 54:10
Share: What do you love about the Advent/Christmas season? What do you love about each other? Perhaps you each take time to write these down and then distribute to each person in the family.
All: Dear God, thank you for your love. Help us follow the example set forth by Jesus to share your love in a hurting world. Amen.
2nd Sunday in Advent:
Love3rd Sunday in Advent:
JoyReader 1: Today we think about JOY! We think about the joy
a new baby brings into the world, and especially the joy that Jesus brings.
Reader 2: We light the candle of HOPE and remember what God promised.
Light purple candle from week one We light the candle of LOVE and remember how much God loves us.
Light the second purple candle We light the third candle of Advent, the candle of JOY.
Light the pink candle
Reader 3: Mary praised God with a special song when she was pregnant with Jesus.
Reader 4: Read Luke 1:46–49
Share: What brings you joy? How might you share joy with someone who needs it during this holiday season?
All: Dear God, we praise you for all you have done for us! Help us to focus on the joy of this season and to share it with those who have trouble finding it. Amen.
ChristmasEve
4th Sunday in Advent:
PeaceReader 1: Today we think about PEACE. Jesus was called the
Prince of Peace.
Reader 2: We light the candle of HOPE and remember what God promised.
Light purple candle from week one
We light the candle of LOVE and remember how much God loves us.
Light the second purple candle
Reader 3: We light the candle of JOY and remember the joy that Jesus brings.
Light the pink candle from last week
We light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of PEACE.
Light the last purple candle
Reader 4: As the people of Israel endured many hardships, they waited for the coming Prince of Peace. Isaiah described this peaceful kingdom they hoped for.
Reader 5: Read Isaiah 9:6–7a
Share: Where in the world do you see a need for peace? Where in your own lives do you see a need for peace? Take a moment to pray for those specific needs.
All: Dear God, we welcome the Prince of Peace into our chaotic world. Help us work for hope, love, joy, and peace. Amen.
Reader 1: Yay! Jesus is born!
Reader 2: We light the candle of HOPE and remember what God promised.
Light purple candle from week one
We light the candle of LOVE and remember how much God loves us.
Light the second purple candle
Reader 3: We light the candle of JOY and remember the joy that Jesus brings.
Light the pink candle from last week
We light the candle of PEACE and remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Light the last purple candle
Reader 4: Today we light the Christ Candle and remember that Jesus has come into the world and is the light of the world!
Light the white candle in the canter
Reader 5: Read Luke 2:1–20
Share: What does Christmas Day mean to you? How can you share the light of Christ in a world that needs Jesus? Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.
All: Dear God, today we say “Happy Birthday” to your son! Help us remember that he is a part of our lives EVERY day, not just on this special one. Help us share the light of Christ in this world all year long. Amen.
