Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy for the Third Sunday of Advent

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Reader 1

On the first Sunday of Advent we lit the prophet candle on our Advent wreath to remind us of the hope we have in Christ.  

  

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

On the Second Sunday of Advent we lit the Bethlehem candle to remind us of the gift of peace.

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

Reader 2

Today is the third Sunday of Advent when we light the candle of joy reminding us that our joy is in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  It is sometimes called the shepherd’s candle in honor of the shepherds to whom the birth was announced.

Reader 3

Luke 2:8-11   ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Reader 4

We light this third candle today to remind us of the joy that filled the world when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and we thank God for the joy he pours into our hearts whenever he is born in us today.

Light the third candle, the pink one – (the shepherds’ candle or the candle of joy) - at 3 o’clock on the wreath.

Pray together...

O God of Joy, Immanuel:  thank you for coming among us tenderly as a child.  Send the light of the child Christ into our hearts to make us ready for the day and hour of His coming, that we may know the joy you have promised and bless the world you have made.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.