THE ADVENT CEREMONY
The Christ Candle - Christmas Eve
December 24, 2009
Prepare an Advent wreath consisting of a large center candle surrounded by 4 slender candles. The candles can be any color. Candle sets used in some church traditions can be purchased containing 3 violet candles and 1 pink candle and a larger white candle for the middle. Have your key verse printed in your bulletin or on a screen.
Light all the candles in the wreath first, then light the center candle representing Christ.
During the lighting someone says:
“Today we light all the candles, the Prophecy Candle,the Angel’s Candle, the Good News Candle, the Shepherd’s Candle, and now finally the Christ Candle.”
Repeat the key verse together. Ask the congregation to join in.
John 8:12 Jesus said to the people,"I am the light of the world. If you follow me,you won't be stumbling through the darkness,because you will have the light that leads to life."
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Prayer - A simple prayer of praise to God for the privilege we have to focus on Him and the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus. Thank God that Jesus came to bring light to this dark world.
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It is finally Christmas Eve! No matter how many times we have heard or read this powerful story, it is still the greatest story ever told. And it is TRUE!
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Jesus came to earth as God in human form to show us how much God loves us.
John 1:1718 says “God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has told us about him.”
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Jesus came to tell us that God wants us all to join His family and become children of God.
John 1:1213 says “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.They are reborn! This is not a physical birth -- this rebirth comes from God.”
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The most important thing we can do in our life is to join the family of God by believing that Jesus is God come to earth, and accepting Him as our personal Savior and King of our life. This wonderful invitation is to everyone, everywhere, at any age. This is the message of Christmas.