A journey through Advent

by Georgia Atkinson

Preparing for the Lord

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds,

from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Mark 13:27

The first candle is lit

The first candle’s light marks the beginning of Advent.

We need to be alert because Jesus is coming to meet us.

When Jesus comes, it will be the end of suffering for us.

God the Father sent Jesus out of love for his creation.

His creation is us, human beings.

God made us and said that we are good.

God wants the best for us so God sent his own son Jesus.

He is the light for our path, making sure that we are not wandering in the darkness. 

A new life

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord.”                    

Mark 1:1-3

The second candle is lit

Two candles are lit, one brighter than the other.

These candles tell us that the light is still with us, but when we do something wrong,

we can lose sight of it and the only way to get it back is to repent.

John baptized us to save  us from our sins,

but Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and forgives us our sins.

Two candles burning on the wreath remind us that we are never alone.

The three questions

This is the testimony given by John

when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed,

"I am not the Messiah."

And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not."

"Are you the prophet?"

John 1:19-21

The third candle is lit

Three lit candles might represent three questions that John the Baptist was asked.

Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet?

The candles could also represent questions that we are asked.

Who are we as children of God?

How are we responding to God’s love?

What are we doing to bring light into God’s world?

The lord will soon be here

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said,

"Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

But she was much perplexed by his words

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

Luke 1: 26-31

The fourth candle is lit

The fourth candle makes everything bright.

The Lord is coming soon to change the world,

forgiving our sins and baptizing us in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is alive and welcomes us into his open arms.

We have prepared for this day and it is nearly here.

Rejoice, be glad, and welcome Jesus with love,

because this is the day that the Lord has made.