First Candle of Advent

Introduction
Today [or Tonight] is the beginning of Advent—
the time of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
We are here because God’s promises to our ancestors
came true when Jesus was born.
God’s promise is kept each Sunday when we worship
because Christ is in our midst.
God will keep the promise to come again in glory.

Reading from the Bible
Isaiah 60:2
For night shall cover the earth,
and thick shadows the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and God’s glory will appear over you.

Lighting of the First Candle
We light this candle to proclaim
the coming of the light of God into the world.
With the coming of this light there is hope.
Because of Christ we not only have hope,
but we believe that good is stronger than evil.
God wants us to work for good in this world.
The color of this candle is purple—
symbolizing the majesty of Christ,
whose glory shines in the night.

Light one purple candle.

Prayer
O God, we thank you
that Jesus brought hope into our world.
By the good news of the Bible
you are still bringing hope to people.
Help us to be ready to welcome Jesus Christ
so that we may think good thoughts
and do good deeds
and so we may be a people of hope in our world.
Amen.