{"id":29027,"date":"2021-12-03T11:52:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T16:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=29027"},"modified":"2026-01-06T10:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:14:26","slug":"advent-wreath-pre-prayers-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=29027","title":{"rendered":"Advent Wreath Pre-Prayers for Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Advent Wreath has long been part of our “Christmas Tradition.”\u00a0 An Advent wreath consists of a “Christ Candle” surrounded by four other candles along the perimeter of the wreath.\u00a0 On each of the four Sundays leading into Christmas Day, we light one the candles corresponding to the past and current weeks. The Christ Candle is lit during our Christmas Eve service.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Each of the four candles reminds us of one of the benefits<\/a> of Christ’s coming:\u00a0 Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

At the end of the article for each of the four Sundays, the 2021 “Daily Devotionals for Advent<\/a>” booklet\u00a0 gives a prayer and scripture reading for that week’s candle. Use that prayer to “Pre-Prayer” for worship or to reflect back on the past Sunday.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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This post was written in 2021 and uses material from the 2021 Advent Devotional Booklet. To see this year’s devotionals, visit the “Daily Devotions” page.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daily Devotions<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Week 1:\u00a0 Hope<\/span><\/h3>\n

Isaiah 60:2-3<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World. We who have sat in darkness have seen a great light, the light of Jesus Christ, our salvation and our hope. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus\u2019 name, because He lives and reigns with you in your glory and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Worship and Devotional: Sunday 11\/28\/21<\/p><\/div><\/div>\u00a0

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Week 2: Peace<\/span><\/h3>\n

Isaiah 9:6-7<\/a><\/p>\n

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. We who live in discord and strife have found peace in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus\u2019 name, because He lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Worship: Sunday 12\/5\/21,\u00a0 Devotional: Sunday 12\/19\/21<\/p><\/div><\/div> \u00a0

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Week 3:\u00a0 Joy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Isaiah 35:10<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who brings us great joy. We who have walked in the shadow of the valley of death have found life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus\u2019 name, because He lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Worship and Devotional: Sunday 12\/12\/21<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Week 4:\u00a0 Love<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mark 1:4<\/a> and John 14:6<\/a><\/p>\n

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Way. We, who like sheep, have gone astray and have found the way to you through Jesus Christ, who loves us with an unconditional love. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus\u2019 name, because He lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Worship: Sunday 12\/19\/21,\u00a0 Devotional: Sunday 12\/5\/21<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Beyond Week 4:\u00a0 Christ<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Psalm 23<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

On Christmas Eve, we will light the Christ Candle.\u00a0 He has come and the preparation for His first coming is over.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

But He remains in the world.\u00a0 Through the Holy Spirit, our Good Shepherd is at our side to guide us through life’s “dark vallies” and to lead us to the “still waters” of His eternal presence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon, the Christmas tree will be put away and we’ll enter a new season.\u00a0 Just as Christ’s Spirit remains to rule in our hearts today, one day He will return to rule over the earth as King.\u00a0 May our daily journey constantly prepare us for our eternal destination and guide us to Christ’s final victory. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 12\/24\/21, and beyond…<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

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Note:\u00a0\u00a0 The “traditional order” on which theme should be celebrated on which Sunday is kind of up for interpretation.\u00a0 <\/span>Sometimes, at PUMC, we reverse “Peace” and “Love” from the way that they’re ordered in the Advent Devotional. <\/span>\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\n

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