Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of ev'ry nation,
joy of ev'ry longing heart.
In our church and perhaps in your home during Advent, there is a circle of green, a wreath. It has no beginning and no ending, reminding us of God's presence with us always. Made of evergreen bows, it helps us to remember our everlasting life in Jesus. Adorned with 4 candles around and one candle in the middle, it marks the weeks of waiting for the coming light of Christ, the light that stands at the center of all things and dispels all darkness and fear.
Today we light the first candle, the candle of HOPE! Throughout scripture, we are reminded that Christ is our everlasting hope. Read with your family these passages of scripture and remember the hope we have in Jesus.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.
Psalm 130:5
11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
or decide by what his ears hear;4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
Isaiah 11:1-4a
Think together about people and places who need the hope we know in Christ and pray together for the light of hope to be kindled in their lives. Think together about the places in your own life where fear and sin have overshadowed the light of hope. Pray for God's light to enter those places too.
A Prayer to Share at Meal Time
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest; let these gifts to us be blest.
Keep us always in your sight; be our joy our hearts' delight. Amen
A Prayer for Children at Bedtime
God in the night
God at my right
God all the day
God with me stay
God in my heart
Never depart
God with thy might
Keep us in thy light
Through this dark night.
Amen.
(from Come, Lord Jesus: Devotions for the Home by Susan Briehl)
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