Today is the second Sunday in Advent. On this day Christians light the second candle of the Advent wreath. (If you missed my post on the first candle, you may wish to read it before you continue, but this isn't necessary.) In today's post I'm going to put up a version of the Advent candle lighting ceremony we use in my church. The candles signify different dimensions of our Advent waiting. Last week we focused on waiting for a Good Shepherd. Today we wait for forgiveness.
You can use this material for your own Advent wreath, if you have one, or you can let your reading of this post be a time of Advent reflection.
Note: What follows is based upon something I wrote several years ago for my church. You can find my whole Advent Wreath Guide here, by the way. You'll notice that some of the language is fairly simple. This is because I've encouraged families with young children to use this material in their Advent devotions. To be honest, I can't remember if I came up with the particular themes myself or if I borrowed them from elsewhere. You are more than welcome to use this material (or adapt it) for personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. As you know, I don't charge anything for the materials on my website, and am glad to make them available for free. I would ask only that if you print this material or a portion thereof, you provide suitable acknowledgement. For other uses, please contact me.
The Lighting of the Second Candle: Waiting for Forgiveness
[Begin by lighting the first purple candle from last Sunday.]
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" or coming 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 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.
Scripture Readings
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
In this psalm we join the psalmist in crying out for God's forgiveness. And we remember what it's like to wait for God's salvation with hope.
Suggested readings also include Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Luke 1:68-79.
Lighting of the Candle
[Note: In order to "light" the next Advent candle, click on the purple candle immediately behind the lit candle.] 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 Gracious God, as we light this candle, we recognize our sin and our need for a savior. We wait to receive the fullness of forgiveness in Christ, knowing what He has accomplished for us on the cross. 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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