First Sunday of Advent: Candle of Hope Say: Today is special because it is the beginning of a new season called Advent. Advent is a word that means to come. It is a time when we get ready, preparing ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child. Say: We light the first candle of advent to remind us of the years that God s people waited for a Saviour and of the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. Sing: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Read: Isaiah 11:1-2; Micah 5:2; Psalm 130 Discuss: Set a timer, and have everyone wait in silence for 30 seconds until the timer goes off. Talk about what it is like to wait for things. Do you like waiting? Talk about what it was like for the Israelites as they waited thousands of years for Jesus to be born. Read: John 1:9-13; Romans 8:22-25; Titus 3:4-7 Discuss: Talk about hope. What is hope? What is the hope that we have as Christians? What are we still waiting for? Second Sunday of Advent: Candle of Love Say: Last Sunday, we lit the first candle of advent to remind us of the hope that we have in Jesus. Today, we light the second candle of advent to remind us of God s love. Sing: Away in a Manger Read: John 1:14; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10 Discuss: Why did God send Jesus to earth? Read: Philippians 2:5-8; 1 John 4:19-21 Discuss: According to these verses, what are some ways to show God that we love him? Why should we love others? What are some ways that your family can love God and love others this Christmas? Pray: May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and everyone else May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thess. 3:12-13) Pray: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Third Sunday of Advent: Candle of Joy Say: We have already lit two advent candles: the candle of hope, which reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus, and the candle of love, which reminds us of God s love in sending Jesus to earth. Today we light the third candle of advent, the candle of joy. This candle reminds us of the joy that is ours because of our salvation. Read: Luke 2:8-11; Psalm 16:11; John 15:9-11 Discuss: What is joy? What is the source of joy in the verses you just read? Read Together: Psalm 98 Discuss: What brings you joy? Together as a family, make a list of all the reasons you have to be joyful this Advent season. Pray: Have a popcorn style prayer where everyone takes turns giving praise to God. You may wish to have each person thank God for one of the items on the list you just made of reasons you have to be joyful. Sing: Joy to the World Fourth Sunday of Advent: Candle of Peace Say: On the first Sunday of Advent we lit the candle of hope to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus. Then we lit the candle of love to remind us that God loves us so much that he sent his son to earth. Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy to remind us of the joy that we have because Jesus came to save us from our sin. Today, on the fourth Sunday of Advent we light the candle of peace to remind us of the peace that Jesus brings to our hearts. Sing: Silent Night Read: Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 53:5 Discuss: According to these verses how is Jesus going to bring peace to the earth? Read: John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7 Discuss: Where does peace come from? How can we have peace in our hearts? Pray: Say to each other: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Christmas Morning Say: Jesus is in the manger this morning. The Word became a human being and lived among us. His life is the light that shines through the darkness and the darkness can never put it out. First Child: (Relight first candle.) I m glad we lit this candle to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus. Second Child: (Relight second candle.) Thank you Jesus for coming to show and tell us about God s love. Third Child: (Relight third candle.) Thank you God for the Good News that was announced by the angels, which brings us all such joy! Fourth Child: (Relight fourth candle.) Thank you, God, for giving us the best present ever, Jesus, who brought peace to the whole world. Say: God chose a woman to bring forth the Light of the World. (Light the Christ candle in the centre.) I light this candle to remind us that Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Read: Luke 2:6-7; John 1:1-14; Isaiah 60:1-2 Pray: Thank-you God for entering our world to give us hope, love, joy and peace. We really want to let you into our home, and into our lives, not just into the manger in the living room. Enter our hearts, this Christmas morning, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sing: Away in a Manger
O Come, O Come Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Away in a Manger Away in a manger No crib for His bed. The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay. The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay. Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth " Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.