Advent Wreath Prayers
Are you and your family celebrating Advent this year by lighting your very own Advent candles? Below are weekly prayers to aid you in your candle lighting tradition.
Did You Know?
Advent wreaths and candles are both a beautiful and meaningful centerpiece to the season. Since the Middle Ages, families have used Advent wreaths to measure their progress toward Christ’s birth. Each Sunday, gather your family, light an advent candle, and contemplate its meaning:
- The first candle symbolizes our hope which comes from God’s promises.
- The second candle reminds us to prepare for the Lord.
- The third candle represents the joy that Jesus brings to us.
- The fourth candle represents the love of the angels who announced the good news.
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Week One
Reader 1: The first week of Advent we remember the gift of hope we have in Christ. The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a savior would be born, a king in the line of David. They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.
(Someone lights the first purple candle on the Advent Wreath.)
Reader 2: Let us pray – Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming by being open to seeing the light of Christ in others. We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Week Two
Reader 1: The second week of Advent we remember the gift of Peace we have in Christ. Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for and must work for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to him working together in faith.
(Someone lights the first two purple candle on the Advent Wreath.)
Reader 2: Let us pray – Loving God, we thank you for the gift of peace you give us through Jesus. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming by working for Christ’s peace to take root in our family. We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Week Three
Reader 1: The third week of Advent we remember the gift of Joy we have in Christ. We remember the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her – a child who would save and deliver all people. Joy is the gift we all receive from the unconditional love Christ has for us.
(Someone lights the first two purple candles and the pink candle on the Advent Wreath.)
Reader 2: Let us pray – Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming by helping us see that Christ came for every person we meet wherever we go. We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Week Four:
Reader 1: The fourth week of Advent we remember the gift of Love we have in Christ. The light of the candles is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us. Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s love in human form. The Bible says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
(Someone lights all the candles on the Advent Wreath.)
Reader 2: Let us pray – Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love – shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming by loving others as Christ loves us. We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
