D is for DONKEY

D is for Donkey...

carrying Mary on her way.   

Luke 2: 4-5

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem…  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Blessings

Sarah

C is for CANDLE

If you've already began the family devotionals great!  If not, you can begin with A is for  ANGELS on Friday, December 2, which I've already posted along with B is for BETHLEHEM.  Below is Sunday's devotional....C is for CANDLE.

C is for Candle...a light

to remind us Jesus is the light of the world. 

John 1:9

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Blessings

Sarah

Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy for Second Sunday of Advent

As we approach the second Sunday in Advent, below is the liturgy reading for the day. 


SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Reader 1

Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent Wreath, the “prophet” candle or candle of hope.  We light it again as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God's promises to us.

Light the First Candle – (the prophet candle or candle of hope) – at 9 o’clock on the wreath

Reader 2

The second candle of Advent is the candle of peace.  It is sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle to remind us of the place where preparations were made to receive the Christ child. 

Reader 3

The prophet Isaiah promises that a Savior will be born, a "Prince of Peace" who will bring peace to the earth—a peace that will never end.

Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6-7, says:

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

Reader 4

Our hope is in God, and our peace is in his son Jesus Christ.  We light this candle today to remind us that He is the one who brings peace to all who trust in him.

Light the second candle – (the Bethlehem candle or candle of peace) – at 6 o’clock on the wreath.

Pray together...
God of peace, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus.  Send your Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts to receive Him as a child, that He may send us out as His peacemakers among all peoples, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.



Blessings
Sarah

A Change in Posting for Advent Family Devotional

I must apologized,  I realized tonight that because "Celebrating Advent: A-Z Family Guide" was written for the Advent season of 2007, there will be a gap of a few days.  Christmas Day is "X", and backing the devotionals up "A" begins on December 2.  Being I've posted "A" and "B" already, I'll post C (Sunday) on Friday along with the Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy reading for the 2nd week of Advent. 

Thank you Holly for pointing out the discrepancy, and thank you all for your patience. 

Blessings
Sarah

B is for Bethlehem

B is for Bethlehem...

the little village of Jesus’ birth.

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.  Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.

 

Blessings 

Sarah

A is for ANGELS

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico (1432)

A is for Angels...announcing to Mary and then to Joseph that Jesus was to be born.

Luke 1:26, 30-31

God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl named Mary who lived in Nazareth.  ...But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

Matthew 1:20-21

…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Blessings
Sarah

Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy for First Sunday of Advent

Below is the reading for the Advent wreath lighting that David and I have used on the First Sunday of Advent.  It's wonderful to have family members take turns reading a different portions of the liturgy as you light your personal Advent wreath.

Traditionally, the reading and lighting is done at meal time on each Sunday of Advent.  During the week I always like to light the candles at mealtime as well....I like candlelight. 

May your journey through Advent this year be filled with peace, love, joy and a palpable presence of our Lord and Savior.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Reader 1

Today is the beginning of Advent—a time of preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth. 

The Advent wreath is made of a circle of evergreens with four candles around the perimeter and one in the center. The round shape is a symbol of eternal life, and the endless nature of God’s love for His people.  The evergreen symbolizes the continuation of life, as it remains green through the winter.  The four colored candles stand for the four Sundays of Advent.  The fifth candle, also called the Christ candle, is white and is placed in the center of the wreath.

Reader 2

Today is the Sunday in which we recall the prophets of Israel, who spoke of a savior, a king in the line of David who would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.

Isaiah 7: 14 says:

¹⁴ Therefore 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.

Reader 3

The first candle is the candle of hope.  It is sometimes called the prophet candle to remind us that, just as Jesus first came into the world humbly in a manger at Bethlehem, so he will come again in power to deliver his people.

Light the First Candle – (the prophet candle or candle of hope) – at 9 o’clock on the wreath.

Prayer together...

Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us in your Son, Jesus Christ.  Send your Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for the promise of His coming, that we may become a beacon of hope for others throughout world.  Amen.

Blessings
Sarah