Advent Family Guide

Worship
Sunday Morning Worship Services 9:30am & 11:00am Sunday, December 1 Candle of Hope Sunday, December 8 Candle of Preparation Sunday, December 15 Candle of Joy Sunday, December 22 Candle of Love

Christmas Eve Worship Services 3:00pm, 5:00pm & 11:00pm Tuesday, December 24 Candle of Christ

Advent
Christmas comes full with anticipation. While we celebrate with worship services, time with family and friends, and serving those in need; parties, presents, and the rush of the holiday season inundate us. This year, our MGEFC family is choosing to slow down, be still, and prepare for the season with a return to the tradition of Advent candles and all. We will dive deeper into the meaning of each week of Advent. Use this guide and take time as a family to light the candle(s) at home and prepare for Jesus presence on Christmas.

What is

Advent ?

Advent comes from the Latin word meaning arrival and represents a season of anticipation and celebration of the coming of Christ. Long awaited by the people of Israel, the first coming of Christ was foretold many times throughout history. They waited for a savior who would rescue and restore them. His coming was the hope of Israel. Just like the Israelites at the time of Christs first coming, we celebrate. Advent is a season of jubilation and reflection, remembering and watching. It is a time to remember the fulfilled promises of God in Christs coming and the hope we have as we look forward to his return. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues until Christmas Day. It is a season for the church to remember and celebrate the coming of the savior.

The Advent
Starting in the 4th century, believers have set aside time to prepare for Christ. During the Middle Ages, believers celebrated Christs birth by using a cartwheel wreath decorated with evergreen branches and candles, symbolizing the eternal (the wheel) and the hope (the lights and evergreen) that Christ brings. As we celebrate Advent together, we encourage you to make your own wreath or purchase one. Each week light the corresponding candle as a family or with friends to continue to prepare your heart for the celebration of Christmas this year. The Advent wreath traditionally has four candles. Three purple candles, signifying humility for the first, second and fourth weeks of Advent, and a pink candle, representing joy, lit during the third week. Many today add a fifth white candle in the center to symbolize the coming of Christ.

Advent Week
Light a purple candle and read the promise of the Messiah.
The hope candle reminds us of the prophets who hoped and prayed about what God would do for his people. They predicted and anticipated the birth of Jesus that would bring hope, peace, joy, love and salvation to the world. Read: Isaiah 9:1-7 Reflect: How does this passage in Isaiah instill hope in Gods promises whether at Christmas or all year long? Sing: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

for the First Week of Advent: Monday: Isaiah 7:10-15 Tuesday: Micah 5:2-5 Wednesday: Isaiah 40:1-8 Thursday: Isaiah 40:9-11 Friday: Isaiah 55:1-13 Saturday: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Purple Candle of
for Families: Christmas Card Prayers. As Christmas cards arrive, save them with the Advent wreath and use your Advent prayer time to pray for the senders. Pray that they will experience the hope that Jesus provides.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel! O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel! O come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven's peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel!

Advent Week
Light two purple candles and read about God becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The preparation candle, also known as the Bethlehem candle, reminds us that Jesus was born as a human baby at a specific time and place to bring peace amid fears and human failings. Read: Luke 1:26-38 Reflect: What does Jesuss birth show you about Gods faithfulness? Sing: O Little Town of Bethlehem

for the Second Week of Advent: Monday: Isaiah 11:1-10 Tuesday: Luke 2:4-7 Wednesday: Matthew 2:1-12 Thursday: Isaiah 49:1-6 Friday: John 3:16-17 Saturday: Isaiah 61:1-6

Purple Candle of
for Families: This activity can help visual learners summarize the passage. Together draw a set of pictures to tell the story of Luke 1:16-38. Hang your pictures on your refrigerator as a reminder of this weeks candle.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in.

Advent Week
Light the pink candle, the two purple candles, and read about God becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The joy candle represents the joy the wisemen experienced when they discovered Christ. They shared the joy of Jesus birth, just as we can share with others the joy of his presence in our lives. Read: Matthew 2:1-12 Reflect: What can we learn from the magi about finding joy in seeking Jesus? Sing: Silent Night

for the Third Week of Advent: Monday: Psalm 100 Tuesday: Psalm 103 Wednesday: Psalm 150 Thursday: Isaiah 50:4-9 Friday: Luke 2:25-32 Saturday: Luke 2:33-40

Pink Candle of

for Families: Write a family letter to Jesus telling him why you are glad he came and what each family member is looking forward to in celebrating his birth.

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child Holy infant, so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glory streams from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing alleluia Christ, the Savior is born Christ, the Savior is born

Advent Week
Light all three purple candles and the pink candle and read about the angels proclaiming the coming of Christ.
The candle of love, otherwise known as the angel candle, represents the angels announcing the good news of the savior. We too, can announce the saviors birth through our faith and love. Read: Matthew 1:18-23 Reflect: In what ways can we remember that Jesus came to save us as Emmanuel, God with us? Sing: Angels We Have Heard On High

for the Fourth Week of Advent: Monday: Luke 1:26-38 Tuesday: Luke 1:39-45 Wednesday: Luke 1:46-56 Thursday: Luke 2:8-14 Friday: Luke 2:15-20 Saturday: Philippians 2:1-11

Purple Candle of
for Families: Do an Advent service project together. Collect food for the needy, bake for a neighbor, make a care package for a missionary or someone in the military, or any other project that reflects Christs love.

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing oer the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo See Him in a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Saviors birth. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Eve & Day

Light all of the candles including the white one and read about God dwelling with men as a baby and a king. Remind each other that God chose to become a man.
The white Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! Read: Luke 2:8-28 Sing: J Joy oy t oy to o th the he W Wo World orl rld

White Candle of
for Families: Candy canes look a lot like shepherds staffs and can remind us of the shepherds being the first to worship Jesus. Place one candy cane on your tree for everything you are thankful for this year.

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, Heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glory of his righteousness And wonders of his love And wonders of his love And wonders of his love.

Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church 8585 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55369 mgefc.org