![]() The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of deep darknessĪ light has dawned. Some churches, especially in Catholic traditions, read exclusively from the book of Isaiah, while other churches choose passages that correspond to the weekly theme, from either the Old Testament, New Testament, or the Psalms.īelow you’ll find a sampling of Advent readings that correspond to each weekly theme. Again, the beauty of this tradition is that you can make it your own, as it suits you and your family.Īs you’ve probably realized by now, the Advent readings themselves also vary among church denominations and traditions, depending on their weekly themes. Other families set the Advent wreath on their mantel. However, many families choose to create an Advent wreath and set it on the dinner table or mantel, lighting the candles and using that family time to remind themselves and their children that the Christmas season is first and foremost about Jesus. Some variations of the Advent wreath include different colors to correspond to different themes, while others keep the candles a simple white.Īs it’s practiced in church services, the Advent wreath is usually lit at the beginning of the weekly service with its accompanying Advent reading from the Bible. The Advent Wreath is typically an evergreen wreath containing five candles, each lit on successive Sundays during the Advent readings. That theme of light is what originally gave birth to the Advent wreath hundreds of years ago in Lutheran Germany, and it’s become a beloved tradition in many churches and homes. Twinkling lights and candles everywhere remind us that Jesus is the light of the world that came to dispel the darkness. ![]() ![]() Want to dive into more Advent readings? Download our FREE 25 Advent Readings for Christmas Guide to celebrate the season with your family and loved ones today.Īdvent Wreath Candle Lighting Readings for 2022 There is no right or wrong way to observe Advent as long as you’re coming to God with a sincere and open heart. And the good news is that you can definitely mix and match these weekly themes with various Advent readings that will best serve your congregation or your family. While the differences in weekly Advent themes may be confusing, we can unite in our desire to quiet our hearts during a hectic holiday season and worship Jesus. ![]() Week 2: Preparation (or waiting or prophecy) So while there’s no authoritative guide to Advent, we can find some commonalities in the ways churches have practiced the observance of Advent throughout history. The first mention of Advent is found in ancient writings dating back to the sixth century, with some anecdotal mentions as early as AD 380 at the Spanish Council of Saragossa! So not only is it an old Christian practice, but it’s also a very personal one, as churches have adapted the practice to suit their local parishes. For hundreds of years, faithful Christians have observed the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day as a special time to prepare their hearts, but these practices have changed over time and place. If you’ve ever struggled to keep the four Sundays of Advent straight, you’re not alone. But how do all the different parts of Advent work together, and how can you incorporate Advent into your church or family life? That’s what this article will help you figure out, specifically guiding you through the practice of Advent readings. This sacred time invites us to slow down from all the holiday preparations and parties, take a deep breath, and remember the reason for the season: the eternal Jesus Christ taking on human flesh. It’s the most wonderful time of year, isn’t it? And while some scoff at carols being sung on the radio before December 1, Christians throughout history have embraced this season of spiritual preparation using Advent readings-short Bible passages read during the lighting of the Advent wreath.
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