ADVENTa simple guide for families

Advent is a time of expectation. It is a season of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. For the four weeks before Christmas, we prepare our hearts for the season. Traditionally, each week of Advent focuses on one of the different gifts that Jesus’ arrival brought to us: the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. This guide is meant to be a simple tool to help focus the attention of your heart and mind on

the things that matter most in this season.

As your family gathers around the Advent candles, use these cards to lead you through a simple prayer time. There’s a card for each of the four Sundays of Advent and another for Christmas Eve. Light your candles on Sunday before or after worship – or during worship online - and consider lighting them

throughout the week as you gather for a meal.

As the light from your candles grows brighter each week, may it spark conversation with those around you about the hope we have in Christ, the peace He offers, the joy available to us, and the unconditional

love He gives to us.

advent candle wreathAdvent candles can be displayed in many ways. A great tradition is the Advent candle wreath. Here’s a quick-start

guide to make one at home.

WHAT YOU NEED: TRADITIONAL WREATH SUPPLIES

• 5 candles: 3 purple, 1 pink, and 1 white. • Floral foam block• Tin pan• Greenery pieces

HOW TO ASSEMBLE

• If using live greens, soak the floral foam block in water.

• Place the foam block into the tin pan.• Press the candles down into the foam block - white

candle in the center, three purple candles and one pink candle on the outside.

• Stick evergreen stems down into the foam to form a circle and filling out the wreath.

HOPESAYJesus called himself the Light of the World. During Advent, we light candles to remind ourselves of the light of hope he brought into a world filled with the darkness of sin.

ASKWhat is hope?

EXPLAINHope is looking forward to something wonderful. It’s expecting something good to happen. It’s seeing light where there is darkness.

READ John 1:1-5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

LIGHTone purple candle.

SAYThis candle represents hope. When Jesus came, he brought hope for people lost in sin.

SING O Little Town of BethlehemO little town of BethlehemHow still we see thee lieAbove thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go byYet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting LightThe hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight

PRAYLoving God, thank you for not leaving us in darkness, but for sending your light into the world. Help us to shine your light in the dark and dreary corners of the world. May your light and love radiate from us and give hope where it seems that all hope is lost. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk confidently in your light. Amen.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONWhat are some things you hope for? What are some ways that you can give hope to others?

PEACESAYJesus is called the Prince of Peace. During Advent, we light candles to remind ourselves of the light of hope and the promise of peace that Jesus brought to the world.

ASKWhat is peace?

EXPLAINPeace is the end of conflict and tension, a place without fear, violence and fighting. It is harmony, where things are made right and whole and good.

READ Isaiah 9:6-7For 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONWhy is it so hard to “keep the peace?” How does knowing that Jesus came to bring peace between us and God make you feel? What are some ways that we can be peacemakers?

LIGHT two purple candles.

SAYThese candles represent hope and peace. When Jesus came, he brought peace between God and people.

SING Hark! The Herald Angels SingHark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!Peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled.”Joyful, all ye nations, rise,Join the triumph of the skies;With the angelic host proclaim,“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!

PRAYLoving God, thank you for sending Jesus to make everything right between us. We’re grateful for the peace that comes through knowing Him. Help us to be champions of your peace. May we be peacemakers in a world torn by sin. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by your peace, putting our faith in you to walk confidently in your light. Amen.

J OYSAYJesus is the Joy of our Salvation. During Advent, we light candles to remind ourselves of the light of hope, the promise of peace, and the abundance of joy available to us.

ASKWhat is joy?

EXPLAINJoy is a feeling of great happiness. It is an overwhelmingly good feeling deep down in your soul.

READ Luke 2: 8-10And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch on their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

LIGHT two purple candles and one pink candle

SAYThese candles represent hope, peace, and joy. When Jesus came, he brought joy to our hearts.

SING Joy to the WorldO come, all ye faithfulJoyful and triumphantO come ye, o come ye to BethlehemCome and behold HimBorn the King of Angels!O come, let us adore HimO come, let us adore HimO come, let us adore HimChrist the Lord!

PRAYLoving God, thank you for sending Jesus to take away the sins of the world. We are joyful because He came to live with us, in us and through us. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Guide us to put our faith in you to walk confidently in your light. Amen.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONWhat brings you joy? What are some ways that you can bring joy to others this season and throughout the year?

LOVESAYJesus the real demonstration of God’s love. During Advent, we light candles to remind ourselves of the light of hope, the promise of peace, the abundance of joy available to us, and the unconditional love He offers us.

ASKWhat is love?

EXPLAINLove is a deep commitment and deep connection. Love is demonstrated by caring more for the needs of others than yourself.

READ John 4:9-12This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

LIGHT three purple candles and one pink candle.

SAYThese candles represent hope, peace, joy and love. When Jesus came, he showed us how much God loves us.

SING Away in a MangerAway in a mangerNo crib for His bedThe little Lord JesusLay down His sweet headThe stars in the skyLook down where He layThe little Lord JesusAsleep on the hay

PRAYLoving God, thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to love you with our whole hearts. Enable us to love our neighbors with your great love. Magnify your love within us. Guide us to put our faith in you to walk confidently in your light. Amen.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONWhat are some ways we can show God’s love to one another? To our neighbors? To our friends? What does it mean to love yourself the way God loves you?

ADORESAYJesus is the Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, our Joy and our Love. That is why we celebrate His coming on Christmas Eve. That is why we adore Him.

ASKWhat does it mean to adore something?

EXPLAINTo adore is to give honor and worship. It is to love very deeply. It is to cherish something above all other things.

READ Luke 2:13-15Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

LIGHT three purple candles, one pink candle, and the Christ candle in the center.

SAYThese candles represent hope, peace, joy, love and the birth of Jesus. As we light them, we thank God for these great gifts.

SING O Come All Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithfulJoyful and triumphantO come ye, o come ye to BethlehemCome and behold HimBorn the King of Angels!O come, let us adore HimO come, let us adore HimO come, let us adore HimChrist the Lord

PRAYLoving God, thank you for sending your son Jesus. Through Him we have light and life, hope and peace, joy and love. We are so grateful, Lord, for your great love. Guide us to always be mindful of the promise you made through Jesus. Through Him you are with us, you are for us, and you are in us. Light the way forward forever and ever. Amen.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONHow can you show Jesus how much you adore Him? What are some ways you can share the “Christmas spirit” all year long?