Presence – Advent 2020
This year, Christmas looks different in so many ways. Gatherings will be different. Celebrations will be different. Even the way we worship during this season of Advent will be different. But, different doesn’t always translate into bad. So, what if this year, we embrace different and commit to focusing on something different. You see, all those years ago, God gave each of us a present. But, He also gave us something we often overlook – He have us His presence. So, this year, what if we use this season of Advent to not just anticipate the presents, but to prepare ourselves for his presence? This Christmas, let’s find the hope, joy, love and peace that come from His Presence.
First Sunday - Hope
The purple candle
of Hope
“The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. “In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ –Jeremiah 33:14-16
Lighting Of The Candle:
Lighting a candle is a simple yet profound act. It is a testimony to the power of light over darkness. The light of just one candle can move away the darkness. As we light this first candle of Advent, we begin our journey into His presence. The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope. As we anticipate the coming of Christmas, let us remember the moving presence of Christ is our lives. With each day, may we be reminded that God’s children are called to have hope in God through the birth, death, and resurrection Jesus Christ. We seek Jesus’ moving presence in our lives with because He is our hope, He is our Redeemer, and He is our Savior.
Prayer:
Dear God,
As we await the coming of our Savior, bless us with a sense of amazement and wonder so that we may embrace your gift of hope. Help us to move to a place of preparation so that we may experience the re-birth of Christ in our lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Third Sunday - Joy
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
-Zephaniah 3:14-17
Lighting Of The Candle
Today, we light two purple Advent candles from previous weeks—the candles of hope and love. We also light this week’s Advent candle—the pink candle of joy. As we light this third candle of Advent, we continue our journey to Christmas. As we anticipate Christmas, let us remember the joy felt through the presence of Christ in our lives.
Now as we light this candle, we joyfully thank our Father for sending Jesus to lead us out of our sin and captivity. We are grateful that his never-ending presence in our lives allows us to experience true joy. Let our hearts pause with thankfulness as we look at the manger scene with the fresh wonder of His presence in our lives. Let joy seep into our lives each and every day.
Prayer
Dear God,
May our joy not depend on others, but on You.
May our joy not depend on ourselves, but on You.
May we be as faithful in asking for joy as You are in giving joy.
May we accept and share Your gift of joy.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Second Sunday - Love
The purple candle of Love
“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past. -Malachi 3:1-4
Lighting Of The Candle:
What better example of love that Jesus Christ, God’s one and only son. He is Immanuel, God with us, walking among us.His presence preparing us for more than we can ever imagine. He walks among us, looks into our eyes and lifts our weary heads. God’s gift of eternal life offered to each of us through Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Dear God,
You are loving and full of grace; You sent Your messengers to prepare the way for abundant and eternal life. We ask for the grace to hear and embrace your words as we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Amen.
Fourth Sunday - Love
The purple candle of Peace
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commanders,
–Micah 5:2-5a
Lighting Of The Candle
Today is our fourth Sunday of Advent. We eagerly anticipate the birth of Christ and the re-birth of Christ in our lives so that we may experience His gift of peace. As we gather in our homes and within this church to worship, let us come with our hands and hearts open. Open to the peace that comes through Christ’s presence in our lives. Today, at a time in our lives that often feels anything but peaceful, we focus our attention on his presence. In the midst of all that surrounds us, He is here. Immanuel – God with us. Guiding us on this journey. Bringing peace to our hearts, peace into our lives. This morning we light the candles from previous weeks: the purple candles of hope and love and the pink candle of joy. And, we light this week’s candle—the purple candle of peace. In the loneliness and stresses of life—may God help us experience peace. Our candles are lit, Peaceful One, and we are waiting with you.
Prayer
Father, we pray –
Prince of Peace – take our burdens and give us rest.
Wonderful Counselor – show us the way to peace.
You are God and Your peace surpasses all understanding
Guard our hearts and our minds.
Teach us once again Your presence is greater than our struggles.
Give us Your Peace.
Amen.