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