Advent Candles 2015

This year we are using a sung piece (written by Lloyd Larson, copyright 1994) as the base for our candlelighting:

Advent 1: November 29, 2015 – Hope
Sung opening—Come Child of Light
Spoken interlude
1. No matter our circumstances, God promises and offers hope. Hope is born anew when we hear God's promise to the people in exile
2. “Here is your God!... He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep”. (Isaiah 40:10-11)
1. Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright (Brian Wren)
Light one candle
Sung closing Come Child of Light

Advent 2: December 6, 2015 – PeaceSung opening—Come Child of Light
Spoken interlude
1. We await the birth of one who we call the Prince of Peace. God's kingdom is a kingdom of Peace.
2. When his son John was born the priest Zechariah said: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace”. (Luke 1:78-79)
1. For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophet-bards foretold,
When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendours fling, (Edmund Sears)
Light two candles
Sung closing Come Child of Light
Advent 3: December 13, 2015 – Love
Sung opening—Come Child of Light
Spoken interlude
1. The Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of love, the Christmas child is love incarnate
2. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son (John 3:16a)
1. Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign. (Christina Rossetti)
Light three candles
Sung closing Come Child of Light

Advent 4: December 20, 2015 – Joy
Sung opening—Come Child of Light
Spoken interlude
1. The birth of a child is a cause for joy, God breaking into the world is a cause for joy.
2. When Elizabeth met Mary she said “And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:43-44)
1. Joy to the World! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King! (Isaac Watts)
Light four candles
Sung closing Come Child of Light