Lighting the Advent Candles

Here is a set of Advent-candle litanies written by Rev. Jolene Cadenbach, Pastor of Arcadia United Church of Christ in Arcadia, CA. 

Advent 1

            We are a people of hope.

            Our hearts are full of anticipation for the coming

            of our beloved Christ Child.

            For God is to be among us

            and we will see a great light in the midst of our night.

            Let us light the Candle of Hope.
            (Light the first purple/blue candle)

Advent 2

            We are a people who seek peace.

            We know that God has told us to turn our weapons of war

            into instruments that benefit all humanity.

            In the name of that Child who was born long ago

            to become the Prince of Peace,

            we now light the Candle of Peace.
            (Light the second purple/blue candle)

Advent 3

            We are a people who seek to be brought together

            by the love of Christ.

            Our faith teaches us that God gives us

            unconditional love and forgiveness.

            Acknowledging God’s free gift of grace,

            we light the Candle of Love.
            (Light the third (pink) candle)

Advent 4

            Joy to the world!

            Our God is now coming to bring us “good news.”

            May we sing songs of praise and gladness.

            We know that our Savior reigns.

            Let us light the Candle of Joy.
            (Light the fourth purple/blue candle)

Lighting the Christ Candle (Christmas Eve)      
            Tonight is the night for which we have all been waiting.

            Our Advent wreath will now be completed

            by the lighting of our Christ candle.

             “For unto us a child is given,

            unto us a Savior is born

            and the order of the world will be upon his shoulders.” 

            With the birth of Jesus, our lives will be forever changed.

            We will be transformed by his model and message. 

            We light this candle to represent

            that Christ is truly the center of our lives.

— written by Rev. Jolene Cadenbach, in A Multicultural, Multigenerational Christmas Eve Service.  Posted on the United Church of Christ website. 

For more worship resources for the season of Advent, see this index of Advent Worship Resources, or click on Advent 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.  For Christmas worship resources, see this index of Christmas Worship Resources.