The Fourth Candle of Advent

The three candles lit on previous Sundays are relighted before the service begins.

Introduction
As we gather around the Advent wreath tonight,
we rejoice that Christmas is a time of prayer and of open hearts
when we sing songs of joy.
Christmas is a time of worship—
the moment when the busiest of us pause in wonder.
Christmas happens when God comes to us in love
through Jesus Christ
and fills us with love for all humankind.

Reading from the Bible
First Letter of John 4:9-11
God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God sent God’s only Child into the world
so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we loved God
but that God loved us and sent the Child
to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Beloved, since God loved us so much,
we also ought to love one another.

Lighting of the Candle
We light this candle to proclaim
the coming of the light of God into the world.
With the coming of this light is love.
Such great love helps us to love God and one another.
The color of this candle is purple—
symbolizing the majesty of Christ,
who rules in the power of love.

Light the last purple candle in the wreath.

Prayer
O God, we thank you
that Jesus showed your love for every person—
babies and children, old people and young,
sick people and those who were strong,
rich people and those who were poor.
Come to us as Christmas approaches
and let love be born in our hearts
as you were born into the world on Christmas Day.
Amen