Advent Candle Ceremony

Advent Sunday

VOICE 1: Today is Advent Sunday, when we remember the promise of God's coming. God came to the world, in the Christ Child, God continues to come through the Living Lord Jesus Christ. Upon our response to Him, depends whether or not we come to God, to receive Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness.

VOICE 2: Almighty God, We await your coming, We long to meet you, often we miss you, We strive to help you, only to discover our need, help us to discover our need in the grace of your welcome through Your Son Jesus Christ, Who is called Emmanuel, God with us.

VOICE 3: Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that you came as a helpless child, grew to be a man, died a cruel death, and were raised to life on the third day, so that all who will believe may become sons and daughters, fellow heirs with you. We light this one candle for ourselves, to remind us of the Advent Hope in which all ages have looked forward to Your Coming, The poor, the weak and for everyone who longs for You to come to them.

As I light the first candle, let us sing to God's Praise in the Hymn No. ?

Hymn will be announced by the third voice!

Advent 2

VOICE 1: Today is the second Sunday in Advent, when we remember God's word in the Old Testament and His Prophets, who spoke out fearlessly against oppression and they proclaimed God's justice. Isaiah said these words, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me, he has sent me to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim release for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to let the broken victims go free."

VOICE 2: Because of their courage and conviction we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the Prophets. We do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.

VOICE 3: We light the second candle because God's word shines on in the darkness and the darkness has not extinguished it. We light the candle for the Prophets who fanned the flame for justice, and who pointed the way to the wonder of God's Love, the Light of the World, the Morning Star, Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, God has shown us the wonder of His love for us in Jesus, So that through the written word, and the spoken word we may behold the Living Word.

As I light the second candle, let us sing to God's Praise, Hymn No. ?

Hymn will be announced by the third voice!

Advent 3

VOICE 1: Today is the third Sunday in Advent, When we remember John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of Christ, along with all God's faithful messengers preparing the way for the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Saviour of the world.

VOICE 2: And so despite imprisonment, hardship and cruelty, the Light shines on in the world, and John bore witness to the Light, he was God's Herald, and because of the coming of Jesus, We are all called to proclaim the Good News, the Truth, that all might believe through Jesus Christ.

VOICE 3: We light the third candle to remember John the Baptist, and his faithful proclamation, give us grace to listen to the witness, so that in Jesus Christ we might fulfil all our dreams for life and human dignity and purpose, and Eternal life.

As I light the third candle let us sing to God's Praise by singing Hymn No. ?

Hymn will be announced by the third voice!

Advent 4

VOICE 1: Today is the last Sunday in Advent, the time when we remember Mary, the mother of Jesus, chosen by God. We remember how she humbly received God's will as her own.

VOICE 2: "And Mary said 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word'." ... "My Soul praises the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour ... Holy is His name."

VOICE 3: We light the fourth candle to remember Mary and her obedience and faith, We remember her joyful experience, and yet she suffered exile and hardship with her child, and lived to see him die, that all might Live and share in His experience and through Him be brought nearer to God.

As I light the fourth candle let us sing to God's Praise in the Hymn No. ?

Hymn will be announced by the third voice!

Christmas Eve Advent Candle Ceremony

On Christmas Morning we celebrate with Joy, the Incarnation, the coming of God in Jesus Christ. For 'Unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given. Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace and Good will to all.'

Prayer: O God our Father, as we remember the birth of Your Son Jesus Christ, we welcome Him with gladness as Saviour. We pray that there will always be room for Him in our hearts and homes. Amen.