Alphabet Advent – A is for…

Advent Wreath

Growing up, holidays were steeped in tradition. In anticipation of Christmas, we had multiple advent calendars. In our entryway my parents hung a giant felt tree with numbered pockets. Each contained a felt ornament and a short story to help us foster the Christmas spirit in our family. Under the thermostat in the living room was another felt advent calendar: each night we would move a felt Mary and Joseph one step closer to Bethlehem. They would arrive on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning we would find a felt Baby Jesus in the manger.


One of my favorites was the advent wreath that would serve as a centerpiece for our dining table throughout the season. For the four Sundays preceding Christmas, we would light a new red candle each week. I loved measuring the time until Christmas by the length of the candles. 

Advent Wreath Prayers

Here are some traditional scriptures and prayers that can accompany lighting each candle. 

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Week One

Scripture

Luke 1:5-25 or Mark 13:24-37

Prayer

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Week Two

Scripture

Luke 1:26-38

Prayer

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Week Three

Scripture

Luke 1:39-56

Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Week Four

Scripture

Luke 1:57-80

Prayer

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Christmas Eve

Scripture

Luke 2:1-20

Prayer

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.