Advent Tradition and
Scripture Reading for the Season

I never really understood the meaning behind “Advent”. I knew we lit a new candle each week, but why? Once I began to study the tradition of the season, I knew that I had to pass it on to others. I pray that you and your family will be blessed these weeks prior to Christmas, as you begin the Advent Celebration together. Each Sunday, beginning November 27th, I will have a devotion related to the weekly candle of Advent. I am asking God to prepare your hearts to receive Him in a new and wonderful light this season.

Advent is a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Messiah. “Advent” means “coming”. We think about His birth on Christmas morning and we anticipate His glorious return. We symbolize the events in the Bible leading up to His birth by lighting a candle each Sunday evening of the season. The Advent Season begins four weeks prior to Christmas day, so the first day of Advent is Sunday, November 27th. Each Sunday, we light a new candle to symbolize the different aspects of our waiting experience. The flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening, and something more is still to come.

The candles are arranged in a circle to remind us of the everlasting power of God, which knows no beginning or end. There is meaning behind the colors of the candles, as well. The three purple candles represent the royalty of Christ. Jesus came from the royal lineage of King David, and Jesus is our King of Kings and Prince of Peace. The first three Sundays in Advent, a different purple candle is lit. Then there is a pink candle and a large white candle. Let’s take it one week at the time:

• November 27th - We light the first purple candle. It is called the “Prophecy Candle” or the “Candle of Hope”. We read in the Bible how the birth of Jesus was foretold by different prophets, hundreds of years before His birth. Each candle represents a one hundred year period, from the time the prophet Micah foretold of Christ’s birth. ( He spoke about it 400 years before Jesus was born. This is why there are 4 candles in the Advent Season.)



• December 4th - We light the first candle mentioned above, and also the second candle. This candle is also purple, and it is called the “Bethlehem Candle” or the “Candle of Love”. We can read in the Bible about Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem. It symbolizes the preparations made to receive and cradle the Christ Child. We should look into our own hearts to see if we have received Jesus, and have accepted Him as our Savior. We reflect on the amazing love of the Father as He sent His Son to earth as a baby. We also think about how much Jesus loves us, as He was willing to leave Heaven for our sake.



• December 11th - We light the 2 purple candles above, as well as this third candle. This candle is pink, and it is called the “Shepherd’s Candle” or the “Candle of Peace”. The pink, or rose colored candle symbolizes Jesus as the “Rose of Sharon”. It honors those shepherds who were the first to worship Christ, as well as the first to share the good news of His birth. As children of God, we have His peace in our hearts that only comes from Jesus. What an honor it is for us to worship Him today. He is constantly with us!



• December 18th - We light all of the candles above, as well as the fourth purple candle. This candle is called the “Angel Candle” or the “Candle of Joy”. We are reminded of the Good News that God had graced the world in the birth of Jesus Christ. The entire sky was filled with God’s holy angels as they proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!” As Believers in Christ, we are filled with His joy today.



• Now we have all four of the Advent candles lit representing the last four weeks of preparation for Christmas morning.



• December 24/December 25th - Glory to God!! As we light all four of the candles in order, we save the BEST for last! In the center of the Advent circle is a large white candle. This is the “Christ Candle”. No explanation is needed: Happy birthday, Lord Jesus! The Light of the World has come!! We rejoice as the promise of long ago has been fulfilled.

If you choose to celebrate Advent with your family at home, you can purchase an “Advent Wreath” with the candles. You need 3 purple candles, 1 pink or rose colored candle, and 1 large white candle for the center. Some people use a circle of evergreen as their wreath, and others use a pre-made wire wreath with holders for the candles. Craft stores or Christian Bookstores would have these.

Some ideas to celebrate Advent with your family each night can begin with Scripture reading. Below is a list for each day of Advent. Remember to light a new candle each Sunday evening, along with the previous week’s candle.

I pray that you draw close to Jesus this season, and learn something new about Him and His grace. God bless you!

Scripture reading for the days of Advent:
Week 1- November 27th:
Luke 1:25-33 (Sunday)
Luke 1:29-30 (Monday)
Luke 1:39-45 (Tuesday)
John 15:9-17 (Wednesday)
Colossians 1:24-27 (Thursday)
Matthew 7:7-11 (Friday)
Matthew 25:34-46 (Saturday)

Week 2- December 4th
John 3:16-17 (Sunday)
Acts 11:19-24 (Monday)
Matthew 1:18-22 (Tuesday)
Luke 2:13-20 (Wednesday)
Matthew 16:13-18 (Thursday)
Ephesians 4: 17-29 (Friday)
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (Saturday)

Week 3- December 11th
Luke 2:1-5 (Sunday)
Luke 2: 1-7 (Monday)
Romans 8: 18-25 (Tuesday)
Romans 8:33-39 (Wednesday)
Romans 5:1-5 (Thursday)
Hebrews 6:16-20 ( Friday)
Hebrews 13:5-7 (Saturday)

Week 4- December 18th
Luke 2:8-15 (Sunday)
Luke 2:13-20 (Monday)
Luke 2:10-15 (Tuesday)
1 Peter 3:8-15 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 13:5-9 (Thursday)
Ephesians 4:29-32 (Friday)
Matthew 5:43-48 (Saturday)

Christmas Day
Luke 5:11-24 (Sunday)

Lord, happy birthday!

         Alison