Advent is observed the first four weeks in December by many Christians.  It’s a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The word "Advent" means "arrival." During this season, Christians light four candles that symbolize the hope, peace, joy, and love God graciously brought into the world through His Son. One candle is lit each week, accompanied by selected scripture passages that are read, followed by a prayer related to each theme of hope, peace, joy, and love.

The following guide encourages you to prepare your hearts for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

December 1st – First Sunday of Advent: The Candle of HOPE

Christians often confuse the word "hope" with wishful thinking. In this context, hope seems unreliable at best. If we merely "hope" that something will happen, we have no control over its outcome; this type of hope is external. However, the Biblical understanding of hope is vastly different. The Bible teaches that hope is internal. It is a secure assurance, where we place our confidence and trust in a trustworthy God. Our God has not failed us in the past, and we know He does not change (Malachi 3:6). Therefore, if He promises to do something in the future, we can have assured hope that He will fulfill that promise.

Hope involves waiting and enduring; it is neither weak nor wishful thinking. It can withstand fire, trials, and despair. Ultimately, our hope is rooted in the person of Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected to redeem our sins.

Why Does This Matter?

Hope is important. It sustains us during significant trials or times of distress. Hope provides us with the assurance that God will show up. Though we cannot see Him physically on this side of heaven, He is always present. We will one day see Him face to face (Hebrews 11). 

During Advent, it is helpful to recognize the hope the Israelites experienced throughout the Old Testament- particularly during the time of the prophets. The Israelites yearned for a Messiah to save them from their numerous enemies. Ultimately, they longed for salvation from their greatest enemy- sin.

Like the prophets of the Old Testament, we also hope and long for salvation. We have the hope that Jesus will soon return to redeem this dark and despairing world (Luke 21:25-28). 

Read Isaiah 9:2-6 (NLT)

² The people who walk in darkness

    will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, 

    a light will shine.

³ You will enlarge the nation of Israel,

    and its people will rejoice.

They will rejoice before you

    as people rejoice at the harvest

    and like warriors dividing the plunder.

⁴ For you will break the yoke of their slavery

    and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.

You will break the oppressor's rod,

    just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

⁵ The boots of the warrior

    and the uniforms bloodstained by war

will all be burned.

    They will be fuel for the fire.

⁶ 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.

Prayer of Hope

Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray that You help turn our focus upon You as Christmas approaches. This year, may we not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and miss the opportunity to celebrate the gift of hope You sent to us on that first Christmas.

Father God, every word in Scripture points to the gift of hope we have received because of Christ Jesus. We thank you for showing us countless glimpses of this hope throughout the Old Testament. You showed us that hope as You sent Your Son into this earth through a family tree that was imperfect, bent, and scarred. We see this again in Your choice for Jesus to be born in the small, humble, and seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem. Hope emerges when we understand that You did not send Your Son to be born in a lavish palace among the wealthy and elite. Instead, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born among common shepherds and livestock in a barn.

Help us to recognize that You are omnipresent and always with us. Nothing is too difficult, messy, or dirty for You. Jesus offers us the gift of eternal life through the salvation that only You, our Heavenly Father, can provide when we believe in Your Son, repent of our sins, and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

During that first Christmas, You gifted us hope, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Thank You, Father, for Your immeasurable gift. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.

Reflection/Discussion

• What is something you are hoping for in this Christmas season?
• What are some ways to offer hope to someone who is struggling this week? 
• What is the difference between hoping and wishing?
• Do you think hope and faith are connected? Why or why not?

Songs: 

• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day----Casting Crowns https://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0?si=gh1jVRmUOK5HXIXC

• Hope Was Born This Night----Sidewalk Prophets https://youtu.be/0qkWiCDXMrM?si=0nXaYAlHKfin3sK-

December 8th – 2nd Sunday of Advent: The Candle of PEACE

One of the key moments in the Christmas story is the angels appearing to the shepherds and proclaiming, "Peace on earth," as mentioned in Luke 2:14. Jesus would come to bring about peace in unexpected ways. The Jews were seeking a rebellion; they wanted their Savior to overthrow the oppressive rule of the Romans and establish civil peace through violence. However, Jesus offered a greater peace that transcended earthly political oppression. Jesus' life and eventual death on the cross would reconcile people to God by paying the penalty for their sins, allowing people to have peace with God through faith in Jesus. In addition, the death and resurrection of Jesus would break down the walls between Jews and Gentiles, allowing them to live together in harmony.   The eventual gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost would forever bring believers guidance, comfort, and peace which surpasses all understanding.

Why Does This Matter?

Jesus offers us inner peace through His promises and the Holy Spirit. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we can receive salvation and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This experience grants us inner peace, as mentioned in John 14:27. We not only find security in the assurance of our salvation but also comfort in knowing that God will heal this broken world and will return once again.

Followers of Christ find peace in Galatians 3:28, which states, There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. This verse emphasizes that, regardless of creed or nationality, believers in Christ are united as part of one spiritual family. Jesus broke down the barriers of religion, race, nationality, and gender. All are equally loved by Christ, and all are called to salvation. He desires that none should perish!

The peace of God allows us to see others through a divine lens. It encourages us to consider others as better than ourselves, as stated in Philippians 2:3, and to serve one another joyfully. This peace also helps us to trust in His promises, as illustrated in Proverbs 3:5 and enables us to live and serve without fear, even in a dark and troubled world.

 Read Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)

³ Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,

"Clear the way through the wilderness

    for the LORD!

Make a straight highway through the wasteland

    for our God!

⁴ Fill in the valleys,

    and level the mountains and hills.

Straighten the curves,

    and smooth out the rough places.

⁵ Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

    and all people will see it together.

    The LORD has spoken!" 

Prayer of Peace

Heavenly Father, You are the God who gives peace. During this second week of Advent, we are reminded that because of Jesus, we can experience a Christmas free from turmoil and chaos. Regardless of our circumstances, You offer us peace that surpasses understanding.

On that first Christmas, when You sent Your Son, You gave us the One called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Even the angels proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." The angels understood Your purpose and recognized Christmas's gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. They acknowledged that the fullness of God was wrapped in the tiny flesh of an infant as You humbled Yourself to dwell among us. Emmanuel—God with us, in the form of the baby Jesus.

That baby would grow to be the same God-man, Jesus, who would humbly face death on a cruel cross as payment for our sins. He would defeat sin, death, and hell triumphantly to cancel our debt and reconcile us to You, Father.

You exalted Him and gave Him a name above all names. Every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow to the name of Jesus. The winds and waves obey Him. He rules and reigns as King over all the earth. No situation or circumstance we encounter can overpower Jesus.

We can experience the fullness of peace in our hearts on Christmas Day and every day because that same Jesus sits at Your right hand in heaven, interceding for us. He not only paid our sin debt but also loves us with an unfathomable love. Nothing can separate us from His love. He is good, and His plans for us are good.

Father, during this second week of Advent, keep us in perfect peace as our minds center on the truth of Your powerful love. Thank You for Your mighty, sovereign hand. Help us trust fully in You and rest in the peace You offer. It is in the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Reflection/Discussion

• In which areas of your life do you need God’s peace?
• Are you truly walking with Christ and experiencing His peace, or relying on the counterfeit peace of the world?
• What is one way you can access God’s peace in your life this Advent season?
• How can we demonstrate the peace of Christ to others?

Songs:

• God With Us----All Sons and Daughters

https://youtu.be/GxSn-64hTdI?si=N1jBFEziWJxtpTzF 

• Silent Night / Jesus We Love You ---- Brandon Lake & Various Artist

https://youtu.be/ZMOIskewkOo?si=eVp3vx5Vl56Sq093 

December 15^th – 3^rd Sunday of Advent: The Candle of JOY

This candle reflects the joy that comes through Jesus’ arrival and the salvation He has gifted us. The shepherds experienced joy when they received the good news about Christ’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). The shepherds encountered angels during the middle of the night, the darkest time.

What Does the Bible Say about Joy?

Before we dive into some verses that talk about joy, we must establish an understanding of Biblical joy. Biblical joy goes beyond momentary happiness. Like the extreme excitement a child might experience when unwrapping a gift that they hoped for on Christmas Day, joy is an overwhelming happiness that cannot be deterred by circumstances. Biblical joy is rooted in God and is a byproduct of his presence (fruit of the Spirit). It is an eager anticipation of wonderful things to come. The shepherds experienced this joy as they ran to Bethlehem to see Jesus. 

With the definition established, let’s dive into what Scripture says about joy:

• God fills us with joy (Romans 15:13). We cannot will ourselves to experience joy. It comes from God alone.
• Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We experience joy as a result of spending time with God. Joy only comes from Him. When we spend more time with the Lord, we allow Him to fill us with joy.
• No one can take joy away from us (John 16:22). It is given to us by God Himself. Regardless of the circumstances we face, joy can always be found.
• Joy rests in things from God, such as salvation and righteousness (Psalm 51:12). Joy appears more than 100 times in the Bible.

Why Does This Matter?

Awareness of joy is essential because there is no need to despair while we wait for Christ to return. God has given us a joy that cannot be taken away. Regardless of what happens in this dark world, we can still experience joy.

As believers, we face difficulties in a way that sets us apart from the world. Even in our darkest moments, we have joy. Joy is essential to the Christian experience and vital for our journey. Like the shepherds, we need this joy as we eagerly await the coming of our Savior.

Read Isaiah 12:2-6 (NLT)

² See, God has come to save me.

    I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;

    he has given me victory.”

³ With joy you will drink deeply

    from the fountain of salvation!

⁴ In that wonderful day you will sing:

   “Thank the LORD! Praise his name!

Tell the nations what he has done.

    Let them know how mighty he is!

⁵ Sing to the LORD, for he has done wonderful things.

    Make known his praise around the world.

⁶ Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!

    For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

Prayer of Joy

Heavenly Father, this third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has power. It has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Those who gathered around the new baby were blessed because they believed and understood that You had fulfilled Your promises. Mary and Joseph believed and were able to experience the joy of holding baby Jesus, the Savior of the world, in their arms. The shepherds and wise men believed the angels and signs and experienced the great gladness of worshipping their Messiah. Those who knew Him and recognized Him were overjoyed at His coming. They trusted in Your promises, and their hearts were filled with gladness as they watched Your loving-kindness manifest in the face of a tiny baby in a lowly manger. 

We thank you that our joy is not dependent on our jobs, our families, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy does not come from any treasure we find under the tree. No earthly thing will ever give us true joy. Our joy comes from You and You alone. The joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph is the same joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing. 

Father, thank You for the joy we receive when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. You gave us a reason to celebrate when You gave us the gift of Jesus Christ who came to dwell among us. Your Word became flesh. You went to the cross for us, overcame death, and rose from the dead. Thank you that you forgive our sins and give us eternal life when we believe, repent, and confess You as our Savior. 

Our joy is a gift, and we thank you, Father. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our hearts with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. Allow us to experience joy like never before.  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen

Reflection/Discussion

• What are some things that bring you immense joy in your life?
• Are there areas in your life in which you struggle to find joy? 
• Do you experience Biblical joy in your daily walk?
• Happiness is dictated by facts; joy is defined by truth. Are you in the habit of counting your blessings when things get tough?
• This week, share the joy of the Gospel with someone you meet.  Let them know the reason for your joy!

Songs: 

• Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) ----Chris Tomlin

https://youtu.be/4opEM4SDQn4?si=9ErgeUPx60be8D3h 

• Angels We Have Heard on High----For King and Country

https://youtu.be/8V7sLV2uqIs?si=DnGSgd81b55SJKia 

December 22nd – 4th Sunday of Advent: The Candle of LOVE

The Christmas story highlights God's love for humanity through the gift of His son, as stated in John 3:16. Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of love. Two of His greatest commandments focus on this principle: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Love stands as the greatest of all virtues recognized during Advent and encapsulates Jesus' entire purpose for being on earth (1 Corinthians 13:13).

What Does the Bible Say about Love?

The Bible has much to say about love. Depending on the translation, the word "love" appears 100-300 times throughout Scripture. It makes sense. God is love (1 John 4). Scripture says, ‘They will know we are Christians by our love (1 Corinthians 13:1)’. Love led to the sacrifice of God's Son for our sins.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love this way: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

We cannot walk with Christ without love, and we cannot have the Christmas story without it. As Linus states in A Charlie Brown Christmas, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." 

Why Does This Matter?

We cannot be true Christians without Christ and love. Without them, our actions and purpose on earth are meaningless. We rely on Christ and His love to share the Good News of salvation with the world. Christ connects all the Advent candles, and through Him, we find hope, peace, joy, and love. Without Him, these gifts would be in vain. Christ stepped into darkness to bring light to the world (John 8:12). Because of Him, we can shine our light for others, demonstrating His love and revealing the true meaning of Christmas.

Read Luke 1:46-55 (NLT)

⁴⁶ Mary responded,

   "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy,

    and he has done great things for me.

⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation

    to all who fear him.

⁵¹ His mighty arm has done tremendous things!

    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

⁵² He has brought down princes from their thrones

    and exalted the humble.

⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things

    and sent the rich away with empty hands.

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel

    and remembered to be merciful.

⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and his children forever."

Prayer of LOVE

Heavenly Father, the meaning of Christmas can be summed up in one word: love. You sent us the greatest gift of all that first Christmas, the gift of perfect love. Jesus gave up the glories of heaven to come to a sinful world and redeem His people. His love was so great that the fullness of His love could not be expressed from a distance! Love descended from heaven and was born of a virgin. It was not wrapped in a beautiful package and placed under a decorated tree.   Rather, love lay in the straw of a manger in a humble barn in Bethlehem. All Your love, God, was wrapped in the delicate skin of a baby and covered in swaddling clothes. Our perfect gift would later be encased in the scars of our sin and nailed to the rugged wood of a cross. This final week of Advent invites us to reflect on the magnitude of love made manifest in Jesus.

You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah and Ruler of All. Yet, you came not as a lion but as a lamb. You entered the world as an innocent baby, destined to walk this earth in humility and complete love. In the end, you sacrificially gave your life as atonement for the sins of your children. Emmanuel—God with us, love embodied in the form of a man.

There is no greater gift than this: that a man should lay down his life for his friends. You willingly gave the gift of Your life out of love. Your righteous blood covered our sins. You redeem and restore us when we confess You as Lord and Savior of our lives.

Father, in this final week of Advent, fill our hearts and minds with the significance and magnitude of that truth. Thank You, Lord, for loving us enough to send Jesus. It is a love that we cannot comprehend. In His precious holy name, we pray. Amen.

Reflection/Discussion

• How has God shown His love for you in your life?
• What is the difference between Godly love and worldly love?
• Christ came to die for everyone, even those that are hard to love.  Who is hard to love in your life?  What are some ways you can reach out and show them Christ’s love?
• How does God’s love for us transform the way we see others?

Song: 

• Noel----Lauren Daigle

https://youtu.be/jEOHAlV-JVc?si=P22XUfkBxDg48Ev7 

THANK YOU for celebrating Advent with us!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!