I am so exicted that Advent started last night! I love the Christmas season for a number of reasons. Of course, the coming of my Lord and Savior the King of Kings! It is so much fun to celebrate with food and family and friends. Advent is the time before leading up to Christmas. We celebrate each Sunday with our family dinner and the lighting of a candle.
Week 1: Daddy must bless the wreath by saying, “O God, by
whose word all things are sanctified pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath,
and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ
and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who livest and reignest forever.
Amen.” After that, my Dad says the first week’s prayer, “O Lord, stir up Thy
might, we beg Thee, and come hat by the protection we may deserve to be rescued
form the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who
livest and reignest forever. Amen.” Then my brother (the youngest in the
family) lights one purple candle.
Week one is about the prophesy of the coming of Christ. I
read Romans 15: 12-13 which say, “And again, Esaias saith, there sall be a root
of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the
Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Week 2: Dad prays, “O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may
prepare for Thy only begotten son, that through His coming we may be made
worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.”
Then I light my brothers candle and another purple candle.
Week two is about preparing for the coming of Jesus. I read
Luke 3:4-6 which says, “As it is written the words of Esaias the prophet,
saying, The voice of one crying in the wildereness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight. Every vally shall be filled,a nd every mountain
and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Week 3: Dad prays, “ O Lord, we beg Thee, inclene Thy ear to
our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of thy
visitation. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” Then Mom lights the pink
candle along with the two purple candles from the past two Sundays.
Week two is about the shepherds coming to see Christ. I
read, Luke 2:7-15 which says, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in saddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no
room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding
in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of
the Lord came upon them, and the gory of the Lord shone round about them: and
they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And
this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone
away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go
even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known unto us.”
Week 4: Dad prays, “O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee,
and come; and with great merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede.
Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” Then Dad lights all three purple
candles and the pink one from last weekend.
Week four is about why Christ came. I read John 3:16-17
which says, “For god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved.”
The final candle, which is white, is lit during our
Christmas Eve dinner. It represents the purity of Christ and is my absolute
favorite!
Mom and I made this wreath. We just got a Styrofoam wreath
and wrapped it with red tulle then some garland. After that we poked in the
white poinsettias. I chose them because they are so festive and the white
reminds me of the purity of Christ.
Merry Christmas!
