[Re-light the first purple candle]
We Remember the Meaning of Advent
Advent is a word that means "coming" or "visit". In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the "advent" of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:
• We remember Israel's hope for the coming of God's Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore them.
• We remember our hope for the second coming of Jesus.
• We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins.
• We prepare to welcome Christ at Christmas into our world . . . and into our hearts.
By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we help ourselves to get ready for the birth of Jesus. Last week we lit a candle that signified our waiting for God our Shepherd.
Today we focus on the coming of Christ who brings forgiveness from our sins.
Prayer for God's Help
Dear God, thank you for this season of Advent that helps us to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Christ's coming burn in our hearts. Amen.
In this psalm we join the psalmist in crying out for God's forgiveness.
God promises to make a new covenant with us, in which our sins will be forgiven and forgotten.
When an angel appears to Zechariah in the temple and tells him that his wife will give birth to a son, the old man doesn't believe the angel. As a result, Zechariah is unable to speak for many months, until immediately after the birth of his son John (the Baptist). Right after the birth, Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks the prophecy that we will read.
Lighting of the Candle
[As someone lights the second purple candle, the following should be read or paraphrased. If you're doing this online, in order to "light" the next Advent candle, click on the wick of the purple candles until you "light" the right one.]
We light this candle because, like God's people centuries ago, we also need a Savior who will forgive our sins. The purple color reminds us of the seriousness of our sin and our great need for God's forgiveness.
Prayer of Hope
Dear God, as we light this candle, we recognize our sin and our need for a savior. We wait for your forgiveness in Christ. We long to be purified so that we might present ourselves to you in righteousness. Come, Our Savior! Amen!
Closing Song
[To be sung to the tune of "O come let us adore him" from "O Come All Ye Faithful."]
O come to us, forgive us,
O come to us, forgive us,
O come to us, forgive us,
Christ the Lord!
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