ADVENT 2007

Sunday, December 2,2007

First Sunday of Advent

Lighting the Advent Wreath 

Reader 1:  Today we begin the season of Advent.  The word advent means “to come”. 

During the next four weeks we will come together to get ready for Jesus’ birthday by 
lighting one candle on our Advent wreath each week.                                                        

Reader 2:  The Advent wreath helps us deepen our appreciation of the true meaning of this Holy Season.  
The round shape of the wreath reminds us of God’s never-ending love.  Three of the candles are purple to
 represent penance and longing; the fourth candle is rose-colored (lit during the third week) to symbolize 
joy.  The evergreens on our wreath represent everlasting life. 

Reader 3:   Dear God, help us prepare for Jesus' birthday by making time each week to light our Advent 
wreath.  And help us show others that Jesus is the “reason for the season.”  Amen. 

Reader 4:  Isaiah 60:1

Reader 5 (Lighting the first candle):  We light this candle to remember that Jesus brings us hope.

All:  Jesus is our hope for a better future.  Thank you, God, for hope. 

Sharing:   Share what each person is hoping for the Advent Season. Choose one or two things to hope and 
pray for this Advent season. 

Sing a favorite Christmas Carol.

Sunday, December 2, Meditation

 
Isaiah 1:1-9    
2 Peter 3:1-10    
Matthew 25:1-13

Advent is the season for preparing for the coming of Jesus.  We remember why He came at Christmas and we look forward to His second coming. The Scriptures for today deal with the consequences of our choices:  to prepare by turning to God and repenting and seeking to follow Him, or to not prepare and turn away from God. 

Isaiah says that when the people turned away from the God who cared for them and who had done so much for 
them, their land was conquered and made desolate.  Jesus himself told of what happened to the foolish 
bridesmaids who were not let into the wedding banquet after they had been too late in arriving due to 
their not having prepared.  Those wise bridesmaids who had prepared were let in.

God loves all people and wants them all to be saved.  That’s why He sent Jesus—to show us what God is like 
and save us from our sins.  Peter says that God is delaying the second coming to give people time to repent of 
their sins and turn to Jesus and be saved.  So we need to not delay, but turn to God now.  And once we realize 
what God has done for each one of us and how marvelous He is, and how very much He loves us, who wouldn’t 
want to know Him better and follow him?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for loving us and sending Jesus, and for wanting everyone to be saved. Please help us 
all to repent and turn to you and become the people you want us to be so that we will be prepared for your 
coming.  Amen.
 

Margaret Adcock

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Last modified November 17, 2007