The Advent Wreath
The circle of the wreath and the evergreens that make it up both signify God's endless mercy and undying love. Three purple candles and one rose coloured candle are evenly spaced around the wreath. There is one larger white candle in the center of the wreath. The wreath can be as simple as four candles with greenery laid around them to form a circle. However, some traditions attach meanings to using different greens, each signifying another aspect of the season. These include:
Ivy - to remind us of the human spirit clinging to God's strength.
Cedar - to remind us of eternal life, available to all through Christ.
Holly - to remind us of Jesus' crown of thorns,
Bay - to remind us of victory over sin and death.
Each week, an additional candle is lit. As the light grows brighter, we are reminded that the Light of the World will soon arrive in glory. The central white candle is to be larger than the four in the wreath. This relatively recent addition to the Advent wreath signifies the Light of Christ and is first lit on Christmas Eve and relit and burned on Christmas Day
The Advent Wreath Service
(The family gathers round the wreath which is not yet lit )
Leader: Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord
People: Thanks to be God
Leader: Let us pray
(Use the appropriate prayer see below)
The candle or candles may be now lit (purple the first week, plus another purple the second, plus a pink the third and all the coloured candles the fourth week)
O Gracious Light Phos hilaron (said together)
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing our praises, o God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Scripture Reading
(Suggested passages for the day can be found below)
After the reading
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you
All: And also with you.
Prayer
Leader: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Leader: Let us pray
All pray the Lord's Prayer.
Leader: The Lord bless us and keep us. Amen
The Lord make His face to shine on us Amen
The Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace Amen
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Put out the candle or candles.
Prayer for the First week of Advent.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this immortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Prayer for the second week of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.
Prayer for the third week of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come amongst us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen
Prayer for the fourth week of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by yourdaily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at His coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Suggested Bible passages
Sun
Matthew 25: 1-13 Isaiah 9: 6-7
Mon Isaiah 1: 16-18 Genesis 3: 1-7
Tues Isaiah 60: 1-3 Genesis 3: 8-13, 22-23
Wed Psalm 43: 3-5 Hosea 11: 3-4
Thurs Isaiah 58: 6-9 Psalm 130
Fri 1 John 2 8-11 Micah 6: 6-8
Sat 1 John 3:1-2, 7-10 Jeremiah 14: 8-9
Sun Isaiah 9: 6-7 John 3: 16=21
MonIsaiah 7: 10-14 Luke 1:1-25
TuesIsaiah 11: 1-6Luke 1; 26-38
WedIsaiah 40: 10-11 Luke 1; 39-56
Thurs Isaiah 52:7 Luke 1: 57-66
Fri Jeremiah 33: 14-16Luke 1; 67-80
Sat Malachi 3: 1-2Matthew 1: 1-25
