Advent
Wreath Service
For more great ways to prepare for a
meaningful Christmas, go to our Advent page.
For those who prefer a more simple service,
reading the nightly scripture and praying the Lord's Prayer is recommended.
The family gathers around the wreath (which is not yet lit).
Leader: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Let us pray.
Prayer for the first week of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of
light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us
in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the second week of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the
way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we
may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the third week of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely
hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory,
now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the fourth week of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ,
at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The candle or candles may now be lit
O Gracious Light Phos hilaron (said together)
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Scripture Reading
(Suggested passages for the day are listed below)
After the reading
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
The Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Prayer
Leader: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you
Leader: Let us pray
All pray The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: The Lord bless us and keep us. Amen.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. Amen.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen.
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Put out the candle or candles
Suggested Bible passages
| First Week Sunday Matthew 25:1-13
Monday Isaiah 1:16-18
Tuesday Isaiah 60:1-3
Wednesday Psalm 43: 3-5
Thursday Isaiah 58:6-9
Friday 1 John 2:8-11
Saturday 1 John 3:1-2 |
Second Week Sunday Isaiah
40:1-5
Monday Revelation 1:7-8
Tuesday Matthew 22:41-45
Wednesday Hosea 11:3-4
Thursday Psalm 130
Friday Micah 6:6-8
Saturday Jeremiah 14:8-9 |
| Third Week Sunday Isaiah
9:6-7
Monday Isaiah 7:10-14
Tuesday Isaiah 11:1-6
Wednesday Isaiah 40:10-11
Thursday Isaiah 52:7
Friday Jeremiah 33:14-16
Saturday Malachi 3:1-2 |
Fourth Week Sunday John
3:16-21
Monday Luke 1:1-25
Tuesday Luke 1:26-38
Wednesday Luke 1:39-56
Thursday Luke 1:57-66
Friday Luke 1:67-80
Dec. 24 Matthew 1:18-25
Not all fourth week readings are each year. Skip to the Christmas Eve reading on
the 24th. |
The service above is also available as a Portable
Document Format file
which prints out as a service booklet. The file is advent.pdf
To make a booklet, print page two on the back of page one. This is the service
booklet.
Print page four on the back of page three for a booklet with more information on Advent.
For more great ways to prepare for a
meaningful Christmas, go to our Advent page.
Go to the King
of Peace home page |
