Our wreath is a gathering of four purple or royal blue candles and one white candle in the centre (these are available at most discount stores) with green tinsel or artificial pine woven around the candles. You might like to add pinecones or greenery from your garden. It’s not elaborate, but it looks surprisingly good and serves our needs nicely. Last year we just used four advent candles in a row place permanently in the middle of our table during Advent.

In the long and bitter winters of ancient times, people in northern Europe found comfort and hope in branches of tress that never lost their green. When formed into a circle (perhaps around a wagon wheel) and given the light of candles, this winter greenery became early Advent wreaths, reminders of the promised birth of Jesus at Christmas. German Lutherans brought this custom of the Advent wreath to Australia, where it continues to speak the meaning of God’s promised light in a season and a world of darkness.

The Advent wreath can form a focal point for family worship, especially is the wreath is set in the centre of the dinner table. (Ours rests in a jungle of salt and pepper shakers.) The lighting of the wreath at each evening meal can lead into a Bible reading and prayer that reflects the meaning of Advent. If this causes children to wait a little longer before digging in to their meal, they get a small taste of what Advent is about.

TERM 4

More importantly than how

the Advent wreath looks is

that it is used. Use the

readings and prayers on the

back of this page in your

household this Advent.

The privilege of lighting the

candles can be shared among

family members.

ADVENT WREATHReadings and Prayers 2014

Thursday 25th December—CHR ISTMAS DAY

Today, light the first, second, third, and fourth candles as well as the white CHRIST CANDLE on your home Advent wreath.

Before you open your Christmas presents have a household member read the Christmas story from Luke 2 or from a Bible storybook. Ask each person to share their favorite part of the story.

Prayer: Lord God, we gather today as a household to celebrate the gift of your Son Jesus. Be with us as we give gifts to one another. Draw us closer to you and one another, and fill this home with love, peace and joy. Amen.

Sunday 30th November — F IRST WEEK IN ADVENT.

Use four blue or purple candles and a white centre candle to set up a home Advent Wreath. In your household devotion time this week, light the first candle, and use the following words:

The first candle on our Advent Wreath is the PROPHECY CANDLE. Long ago God promised to send a Saviour. He used prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Micah to give people hope for the future. (Light the first candle.)

Have a household member read Isaiah 9:6. Then say this prayer together, repeating after the leader:

Reading: “For 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.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for keeping the promises you made through the prophets and sending us a Savior. Fill us with hope as we get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Amen.

Sunday 7th December—SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT

This week, light both the first and second candle on your wreath. In doing so, use the following words:

The second candle on our Advent Wreath is the BETHLEHEM CANDLE. After a long wait, the Saviour that God had promised to send was born in Bethlehlem. He was sent to bring us peace with God.

Have a household member read Micah 5, verses 2 and 5. Then say this prayer together, repeating after the leader:

Reading: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Jesus our Savior, born in Bethlehem. Fill us with peace as we get ready to celebrate his birth. Amen.

Sunday 14th December—TH IRD WEEK OF ADVENT

This week, light the first and second and third candles on your home Advent wreath. In doing so, use the following words:

The third candle on our Advent Wreath is the SHEPHERD CANDLE. When the shepherds heard the news of Jesus’ birth, they went to Bethlehem with joy. Because of Jesus, we can rejoice in God’s love.

Have a household member read Luke 2, verses 7 to 14. Then say this prayer together, repeating after the leader:

Reading: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at 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. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly 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 favour rests.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the good news of your birth makes us joyful. Like the shepherds, help us to come to you with joy this Christmas. Amen.

Sunday 21st November—FOURTH WEEK IN ADVENT

This week, light the first, second, third and fourth candles on your home Advent wreath. In doing so, use the following words:

The fourth candle on our Advent Wreath is the ANGEL CANDLE. When Jesus was born, the angels announced that our Savior had come. God the Father sent his Son to earth to save us because he loves us.

Have a household member read John 3, verses 16 and 17. Then say this prayer together, repeating after the leader:

Reading: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for showing your love to us by sending Jesus our Savior. Fill our hearts and our homes with love this Christmas. Amen.