Advent Candle Readings, 2007 (Weeks 3,4, and Christmas Day)

Here are the remaining 3 sets of Advent candle readings.

Week 3: The Incarnation in Our Lives: God with Us, Joy Incarnate

“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.”

-- Isaiah 65:18

Imagine yourself living in Judah during the time of Isaiah. The nation was surrounded by other nations intent on invading and conquering the Israelites. The Babylonians would conquer the nation a century later. The nation’s leaders would waffle between following the Law and seeking spiritual solace from the gods of the neighboring nations. And yet, in the midst of this turmoil, God speaks through Isaiah, proclaiming the divine pleasure God sees in his people.

As we light the Advent candle of joy, may we too sense the excitement that comes from the incarnate God, surrounding and filling our world. May we feel joy in our lives and share it with those around us. Let us know the great joy of God with us and God in us, and let us live the joy of knowing we are all children of God.

Let us pray:

We joyfully praise you, O Lord, for the fulfillment of your promise of a Savior and what that means in our lives. Thank you for the gift of salvation through the birth of your son, Jesus. Create us anew as we wait, and help us to see your glory as you fill our lives with your living Spirit. Amen.

Week 4: The Incarnation in Our Lives: Living Peace

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s armies will make this happen!”

– Isaiah 9:6-7 (New Living Translation)

Peace is hard to find in the world today. We hear of wars – ongoing, starting, and rumored. This violence allows us to dehumanize other people, resulting in the wasting of masses of people by war, famine, and disease. But we must not settle for less than a peaceful world. As God’s agents in this world, we are called to follow the One we await in this advent season, confronting the endless downward spiral of violence in its various forms, and bringing God’s incarnate peace to our troubled planet.

As we light the candles of hope, love, joy, and peace, let us pray to the God who offers hope in the prison of despair, embodies love graciously given to us, gives us unbounded joy in spite of ourselves, and offers peace in the chaos of our lives and our world.

Let us pray:

Gracious God, Grant that we may find peace as we prepare for our Lord’s birth. May divisions amongst ourselves and in our families be peacefully resolved. May there be peace in our cities and in the countries of our world. Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives, and then give to us courage to follow them. Lord, let us remember that you only are the giver of lasting peace and that you are always with us. Amen.

Christmas: God Living and Working with Us

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.

– Traditional Carol

Hope. Love. Joy. Peace. (Light the candles as these words are spoken.) These past four weeks we have lit candles and spoken words expressing our hope for this broken world, the love God shows us and tells us to spread to our neighbors, the delight God takes in this creation, and our calling as agents of peace. The challenge to us is to live up to these ideals as we work with each other and with the communities in which we live. But we cannot do this alone, nor does God does not ask us to do it alone.

Emmanuel. God with us. As we light this final candle, we recognize God’s presence with us. The time of waiting and longing for the divine that we remember during advent is now past. Let us celebrate God’s coming to us as we enter this Christmas season!

Let us pray:

Great God of love and light, we thank you now for the light of that special star over two thousand years ago that guided shepherds and wise men to the holy babe. Lead us now, by the light of your love, that we also may follow you to new life. In celebration of the birthday of our Brother and our Savior, Jesus, we pray. Amen.