Lighting the 2nd Advent Candle - December 6, 2020

Video Call to Worship Second Sunday of Advent

Today we continue our celebration of Advent.  Each Sunday leading up to Christmas, we will rejoice in the gift that is ours in Jesus Christ.  
  
In celebration, we will be lighting the candles of the Advent wreath.  

The candles signify that Jesus is the Light of the World.   
The evergreens remind us that He is life and brings life to us.   
The candles are arranged in a circle because life in Christ has no end.

Each Sunday we will light an additional candle.  
On Christmas Eve, we will light all the candles, including the center one, the Christ candle.  
We will rejoice that Christ has come to us.

Today we light the candle of Peace.

On this second Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of peace.

Jesus Christ is our peace.  
(Ephesians 2:14)
He is the Prince of Peace, and the fruit of His presence is peace. (Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 5:22)

Christ comes to bring justice, wholeness, and harmony to every relationship throughout all creation.  
He wants to continually grant us peace in every situation.  
(2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Jesus, we pray, guide our feet into the path of peace. 
(Luke 1:79)

Leader:  We light this candle as a symbol of Christ the Way.  
All:  May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to the way of salvation.

Leader:   May the Love of Christ fill our hearts and minds;  
All:  May we be found faithful to His commission on the Day of our Lord's glorious return.

Father, prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth joyfully!  We thank you for doing what you promised long ago when you sent your Son to earth so that we might have the chance to become part of your family.  

Let the promise of your coming inspire us to live with hope and purpose.  As we wait, give us the patience we need.  Remind us of the peace we can access when we remember that you are God. 

We thank you that you are both sovereign and gracious.  Help us to find rest in the midst of what feels like chaos in our world. 

Amen.
 
The Glory of Christmas - Nick Chapman Speaking - Joseph