These advent readings for candle lighting will help you prepare for the meaning of the Christmas season, that Jesus came into the world as our Savior. Check below for a guide that you can use for your weekly Advent readings. Have a wonderful time as you pray and meditate on these Bible scriptures with the whole family.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Advent is the four weeks of preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. This officially begins on the first day of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical or church calendar year.

The special nature of the Advent season can sometimes be overshadowed by the holiday season it leads up to. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the holiday festivities that we forget the reason for the holiday, which is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.

The term “advent” derives from the Latin “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.”

In addition to anticipating and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, Christians also celebrate the new life that results from accepting Him as their Savior and, ultimately prepare for his second coming.

This holy occasion asks us to take a breather from all the festivities and planning, slow down, and recall the true meaning of the season, and that is the eternal Jesus Christ taking on human flesh.

WHEN IS ADVENT?

The fourth Sunday before Christmas marks the beginning of the Advent Season, which concludes with Christ’s birth and second coming. The duration of Advent as a whole is roughly one month.

Even though the Advent fast was frequently observed in the 13th century, it was not regularly kept. It now only occurs on the Sunday closest to St. Andrew’s Day, or the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and was formerly restricted to the time frame between the feast of Saint Andrew on November 30 and Christmas Day.

Before the Second Vatican Council made a few small alterations that distinguished the spirit of Advent from that of Lent and emphasized Advent as a season of hope for Christ’s resurrection, the Advent liturgy remained mostly constant.

ADVENT READINGS & PRAYERS FOR CANDLE LIGHTING

A simple but meaningful activity of Advent is to light a candle. It serves as evidence of the triumph of brightness over darkness.

As we stand close to the candle, even the light from one candle might make our faces visible. We start our journey toward Christmas, a day full of joy and celebration when we light the candle.

Here are the advent readings for candle lighting for each week. I pray these are a blessing to you and your family.

ADVENT READINGS FOR WEEK ONE

The Prophecy candle, which is the first candle on the Advent wreath, welcomes in the season of Advent while honoring those who initially promised the arrival of the Christ Child. The theme for the first week of readings is Hope.

Candle of Hope Color: Blue

Bible Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving light to our lives. Thank you for the gift of hope. That with this we are able to see clearly your promises for each and every one of us. Thank you for lighting the path for us that can lead us to your Kingdom. And mostly thank you for your word. We pray for those in darkness that they too may also experience the gift of light from our God.

Amen

Bible Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We are unworthy sinners yet you gave your one and only son to save us all. You are a faithful and loving God. Thank you for giving us the gift of salvation which is your son, Lord Jesus. We thank you for loving us so we can love others.

Amen

ADVENT READINGS FOR WEEK TWO

The Bethlehem candle is the second candle on the Advent Wreath. It serves as a reminder that everything is being done to welcome and embrace the Christ child. The theme for the second week of advent reading is preparation.

Candle of Preparation Color: Blue

Bible Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV)

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your word. May we understand each passage and each message you are trying to send us. We pray for strength so that we may be ready and be prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. Let us also not forget that you have planned everything already, every small or big thing that happens in our lives. Remove any doubts or worries that we have. We are grateful for your will and the plan you have in store for us.

Amen

ADVENT READINGS FOR WEEK THREE

The Shepherds’ Candle is the name of the third candle on the Advent wreath. It honors the first of many individuals who cheerfully spread the great news of the birth of the Savior. We are almost halfway done with the advent.

Shout with excitement that Jesus is on the way! At Christmas, we see and hear the word “joy” constantly. The season’s message is that there should be joy for all people. For the third week, the theme is joy.

Candle of Joy Color: Pink

Bible Scripture: Matthew 2:10-11 (ESV)

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We thank you because with you in us we have peace and true joy in our lives. We are able to feel unique, indescribable, and unwavering joy. There might be days that we feel lonely or sad but we are confident that those negative feelings are just temporary. We know that when we have down days you will exchange them and shower us with amazing days.

Amen

Bible Scripture: Psalms 146:5-10 (ESV)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We rejoice in the forgiveness of sin. We rejoice that you have made us new creatures in Christ. With joy, we commit ourselves to the proclamation of the good news of great joy. We praise you and we honor your, in Jesus’ name,

Amen

ADVENT READINGS FOR WEEK FOUR

The Advent wreath is rounded and has no beginning or ending. It stands for unending love and faithfulness. The One who came to vanquish the darkness of this world and be our light in the world to come shines out of the darkness, giving us hope.

The Angels’ Candle is the fourth candle on the Advent wreath. It serves as a reminder of our continuous hope as we look forward to our Savior’s second coming as well as the hope that was realized in his first coming. For the fourth week of advent candle lighting, the theme is love.

Candle of Love Color: Blue

Bible Scripture: John 3:16-19

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving us first so we can learn to love one another. Even when we do not deserve your love, you love us anyway because you are a faithful God. And with that love, we are renewed and transformed. We will always remember what Jesus did for us on that cross. We thank you for the sacrifice. You forgive us even if we do not ask for it but we come to you humbly and ask for forgiveness. We love you, in Jesus’ name,

Amen

That ends the advent readings for candle lighting. I hope you have a blessed & joyful advent and Christmas. I pray that your relationship with God and love for him continue to grow as you pray and read His Word.

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