Advent Wreath Lighting Devotional
JUMP TO: WEEK 1 - WEEK 2 - WEEK 3 - WEEK 4 - CHRISTMAS DAY
Introduction
REFLECT
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “a coming, approach or arrival.” In the four weeks leading to Christmas, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize the coming light of Christ. In 1839, a German pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern would gather the children of his orphanage around the wreath to light a candle, tell them a story of scripture, and pray. Any child called John or Joan would be first to help light a candle as they heard about John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. This Advent, let’s join this tradition as we seek to prepare the way once again for the coming Christ child.
PRACTICE
In the week before the start of Advent, take time near your wreath to meditate on your excitement for lighting the first candle next week. Through our Advent playlist, listen to or sing “This Little Light of Mine.” Get creative as you continue–draw images of candlelight or Christmas lights. Listen to “Light of the World” from the playlist as you do.
CONVERSATION
1. Christmas is the season of light. There are lights everywhere you look! Share your favorite memory of going to see Christmas lights, lighting up your Christmas tree, your favorite kind of Christmas lights, or dreams you have for lights in the future.
2. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” How do we see Jesus as the Light of the World? What does his light teach us?
3. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the Light to come and shine through us. Why do we need time to prepare? What does it mean to wait for Jesus? Name three things you would like to do to prepare and wait during this Advent time.
RESPOND
The promise of Advent is that there is a Light coming who overcomes the darkness. One night this week, take time to notice the lights of Christmas, or look up at the stars and the moon. How do the lights make you feel as you stand in the night? What does this light reveal to you about Jesus as the light shining in darkness? Listen to “Consider the Stars” from the playlist as you consider the light of Christ this week.
A Blessing for the Light
by Kate Bowler, The Weary World Rejoices*
In the light that meets our eyes at the dawning of the day
and paints each created thing so lovingly
with color and texture, shade and shadow,
you give us delight.
In the light that meets our eyes in the setting of the sun
and bathes the world in burnished gold,
you give us peace.
In the dusk that blankets us in darkness,
and settles the world in deepest blues,
you give us rest.
God, the three in one,
bless our days and for our nights,
for the time we have,
and for the eternity we glimpse from afar.
If it weren’t for the miracle of your love come down,
we wouldn’t have known what to hope for.
O Come, Lord Jesus.
Memory Verse
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5
WEEK 1
Hope
THE LIGHTING
Find a quiet moment in your day to come near your Advent wreath either in solitude or with family and friends. Turn down the lights and light one of the purple candles.
READ Luke 1:5-23
Accompany this scripture with a listening of “Elizabeth” from the playlist.
REFLECT
Zechariah and Elizabeth did not expect the extraordinary message that they would have a baby. It was a surprise and a miracle! Zechariah had a hard time believing this message was true. Elizabeth, perhaps, had wondered if this day would ever come. This extraordinary event and the timing of it was not exactly what they had anticipated. And yet, through the goodness of God and the miracle of their baby, John the Baptist, their hope was filled! It was redemptive for them and the whole world, “because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn From on high will break upon us” (Luke 1:78).
CONVERSATION
1. Is God still doing extraordinary things? Share something extraordinary that God is doing in your life or in the church today.
2. The name Zechariah means “God Remembers,” and His wife's name Elizabeth means “His oath.” If you combine the two meanings: “God Remembers + His Oath” you make a single sentence: God Remembers His Oath. Do you know the meaning of your name?
3. Hope is abundant because of our God who “Remembers His Oath”. How does the theme of hope help us prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus? What role does hope play in your everyday life? How can you bring hope to others this Advent season?
PRACTICE
Choose someone in your family, or a friend or someone at work. Write down a word of blessing and give it to them (for “extra credit” use pen and paper!). What do you pray for them? What do you desire for them to know about God’s hope in their lives? Perhaps listen to “Go Tell It On the Mountain” from the playlist while you write.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops - at all
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm
I’ve heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest Sea
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
O Holy Night
Placide Cappeau
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
Memory Verse
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…”
Hebrews 6:19a
WEEK 2
Peace
THE LIGHTING
Find a quiet moment in your day to come near your Advent wreath either in solitude or with family and friends. Turn down the lights and light two of the purple candles.
READ Luke 1:26-38
Accompany this scripture with the song “Mary’s Song” from the playlist.
REFLECT
Mary was surprised by the angel. She was confused by the news. Perhaps she was even afraid of all that would come. The angel reminds her that she is beloved, called and equipped. He assured her that "nothing is impossible with God." And so, she humbly surrenders herself to this surprising, confusing, joyful news. She accepts God’s invitation to be a vessel for his Light to the World. Later in the chapter in verses 46-55, she sings a beautiful song, The Magnificat. She sings with a “peace that passes all understanding” (Phil 4:6-7), and in her song, she gets it exactly right…that through Christ, the weary world rejoices!
CONVERSATION
1. When was the last time you were surprised by something? What was it? How did you respond? Has God ever surprised you?
2. How can we experience God’s peace even in the fears or busyness of life? What are ways you would like to slow down and focus on God’s peace this season?
3. When Mary was surprised by the angel’s news, she responded with a joyful song, despite all her fears about the future. What is something with which you could trust God? How easy or difficult is that for you?
4. Many people were surprised that Jesus chose to enter the world as a baby—especially in a humble place with ordinary parents. If Jesus were to be born today, where do you think he might appear? How does Jesus’ birth show God’s values, and what does it teach us about humility?
PRACTICE
Set aside one evening to say “no” to things outside of peace and stillness with yourself, your family, and the presence of God. Listen to “Magnificat” from the playlist as a part of this evening. Perhaps write your own short song about surprise and the peace that comes with trust in and humble surrender to our faithful God.
The Magnificat
The late Eugene Peterson, referred to the good news of the Magnificat as the great reversal. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian called it “the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary hymn ever sung.” May the song of Mary bless you this week.
Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. And his mercy is
for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham
and to his offspring forever.”
Memory Verse
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
Luke 1:46-48
WEEK 3
Joy
THE LIGHTING
Find a quiet moment in your day to come near your Advent wreath either in solitude or with family and friends. Turn down the lights and light two of the purple candles and one pink candle.
READ Luke 1:39-56
Accompany this scripture with the song “The Light Has Come-Mary & Elizabeth’s Song” from the playlist.
REFLECT
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book, Life Together, writes, “Into the community you were called, the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone, even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you.”
CONVERSATION
1. What role has the community of faith played in your own life?
2. What role does Elizabeth play for Mary? How does she speak into Mary’s situation? What is the result? How does Mary’s presence impact Elizabeth?
3. What does it look like to speak God’s blessing into someone’s life?
(Is this something we are called to do?) What else can we take from this encounter?
4. How might God use this community (and you as part of the community!) to build one another up and to evoke worship?
PRACTICE
Set aside time this week to be together! Be intentional. Turn off your phones, turn off the TV or whatever typically distracts. Talk, play a game, share a meal, make music, sing a hymn (perhaps “O Come All Ye Faithful”), create an art project ... do something intentional and enjoy the time together.
The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make us instruments of your peace:
where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Memory Verse
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part
is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:16
WEEK 4
Love
THE LIGHTING
Find a quiet moment in your day to come near your Advent wreath either in solitude or with family and friends. Turn down the lights and light all of the candles!
READ Luke 3:1-6
Accompany this scripture with “Isaiah Song,” and/or “Prepare the Way” from the playlist.
REFLECT
John prepared the way for Christ by announcing to the crowds that God had come among them, that Jesus was the longed-for Messiah. He encouraged the people to “Repent!” Repent means a change of mind and behavior, turning 180 degrees and orienting ourselves to the coming kingdom of love. Kate Bowler in The Weary World Rejoices writes, “repenting is not a matter of first changing ourselves from bad to good so we can be worthy of loving. Rather, repenting begins by realizing the truth that we already belong. We are already loved.”
CONVERSATION
1. How does the coming of Jesus fulfill God’s promises to His people?
2. How does our repentance prepare the way for Jesus in our own lives? How is repentance a part of the great restoration plan?
3. Is it easy or challenging for you to believe that you are truly beloved? What changes in your life when you embody the truth that you are loved and that you belong to God as his daughter or son?
4. What is one thing you can do or say this week to tell God how much you love him? What can you do or say to share God’s love with someone around you?
PRACTICE
Stand up and pretend you are facing something in your life that is hateful, deceptive, or just lethargic towards the love God. Turn yourself 180 degrees! Imagine now facing something loving, truthful, and energized towards the kingdom of God. What steps can you take to stay in this reorientation this week? Let “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” from the playlist be your soundtrack for this practice.
A Blessing for the Glimpses
by Kate Bowler, The Weary World Rejoices*
Only in fleeting glimpses do we see it, God,
the coming of your kingdom.
The scented lilac, the velvet of new grass,
and, let’s be honest, I’m sometimes bowled over
by the smell of fresh laundry.
I don’t even mind.
Then there’s the ever-so familiar slope of shoulder,
the curve and tilt of that beloved head,
so particular to one story only.
The remembrances that ache a little
because of what we’ve lost, and what we’ve gained.
The people who are radiant with love given and received.
All that has been done that is thoughtful
or brave or gentle, or simply just very competent.
Sometimes that’s more than enough.
All these glimpses remind us
that everything in the world that is good is actually from you.
And that because of this we know there will be more.
Promises fulfilled. Restoration complete.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Memory Verse
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”
– Luke 3:4-6
Christmas Day
THE LIGHTING
In solitude or with family and friends, gather around the Advent wreath and light all of the candles! Sing your favorite Christmas Carol together!
READ Luke 2:1-21
Accompany this scripture with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing!” from the playlist.
REFLECT
This birth was an absolute miracle! Jesus was born to young parents amidst hay and feed. Perhaps surrounded by animals and visited by curious and courageous shepherds. This is the way God chose to meet us, not with power and opulence, but with tenderness and humility.
2000 years ago, the Light of the world was born! Christ’s birth is realized hope, given peace, fullness of joy, and extravagant love. We are asked not, because of and through Jesus, to carry the salt of Christ’s character and the light of His love to all the world!
CONVERSATION
1. How do you experience the hope, peace, joy, and love of God this Advent season?
2. Christmas Eve can be the peaceful pause or last minute rush before the joy of Christmas morning. It can be a tough day for some who are grieving or lonely, and for others it can feel full of anticipation and excitement. How are you feeling today? How do you know that Christ is with you at this moment?
3. How does the coming of Christ inform, equip and energize you to be the Salt and Light throughout the year?
PRACTICE
We come as we are to the manger, weary or excited, mourning or rejoicing. Seeking to be Christ’s salt and light to the world. Take a minute to sing along or listen to the words of “Joy to the World,” as you reflect on all that you have learned about the promises and character of God this Advent season.
A Blessing for Christmas
by Kate Bowler, The Weary World Rejoices*
You are here. What a wonder.
Robed in the everyday majesty of a newborn.
So beautiful, so soft, so new.
Perfect in the terrifying fragility that thrills every parent.
“Watch his head!”
“Look at those tiny fingernails.”
God become human, blinking at strange, new surroundings.
All wisdom and power poured into a smallness
that knows hunger and gravity
and unseen urgency for your mother’s skin.
And Mary, so newly parted from you,
turns her thoughts to the impossible
angelic visitation that promised you’d come.
And she knew, somehow, staring at your eyelashes,
that you were a great reversal,
here to put all things right.
Blessed are we when our hearts warm with her.
You’re here. And we are too,
newly come to worship with kings and shepherds
and barn animals and angels as you light up the world on this holiest, loveliest night.
Memory Verse
Review the four memory verses from this season of Advent.