Advent Readings and Lightings, Part 3, by Dr. Michael A. Milton
December 14, 2012
Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season
Third Sunday of Advent Today we relight the first two candles of the Advent wreath. The candle of HOPE and the candle of PEACE. Now we light the third candle of Advent. This is the candle of JOY. As the coming of Jesus, our Savior, draws nearer, our joy builds with our anticipation of his birth. From the Book of Isaiah we read the words of our Lord: “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight” (Isaiah 65:18). From the New Testament, the words of Paul to the people of the church at Galatia: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25). Let us pray: “We joyfully praise you, O Lord, for the fulfillment of your promise of a Savior and what that means in our lives. Thank you for the gift of salvation through the birth of your son, Jesus. Create us anew as we wait, and help us to see your glory as you fill our lives with your living Spirit. Amen.” Hymns for the Third Sunday in Advent: Fourth Sunday of Advent As God is love, let us be love also. In the Book of Deuteronomy we find these words: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19a). From the Gospel of John we hear: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Let us pray: “Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ’s footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus’ birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.” Hymns for the Fourth Sunday in Advent: CHRISTMAS EVE--The Evening of December 24th Let us pray: “Great God of love and light, we thank you now for the light of that special star over two thousand years ago that guided humble shepherds and learned wise men to the holy babe. Lead us now, by the light of your love, that we also may follow you to new life in him. In celebration of the birthday of our King and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
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by Dr. Michael A. Milton
Chancellor & CEO of RTS
• Angels from the Realms of Glory (James Montgomery [public domain])
• Angels We Have Heard on High (Traditional French carol [public domain])
• How Great Our Joy (Traditional German carol [public domain])
Today we relight the first three candles of the Advent Wreath — the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY. Now we light the fourth candle of Advent. This is the candle of LOVE. Jesus demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as the Good Shepherd. Advent is a time for kindness, thinking of others, and sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift.
• Joy to the World (Isaac Watts [public domain])
• Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley [public domain])
• O Heavenly Word (author unknown, 1859; music, Breslau, 1625 [public domain])
On the eve of our Christmas celebration, Jesus’ birthday, we light all the candles of the Advent wreath. First, we light the candle for HOPE because Jesus is our hope. Second, we light the candle for PEACE because Jesus is our hope and peace. Third, we light the candle for JOY because Jesus brings joy. Fourth, we light the candle for LOVE because Jesus is love. Finally we light the center candle. This is the CHRIST candle. Jesus is born. Jesus has come. Jesus is our salvation. Here is a reading from Galatians: “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law” (Galatians 4.4).
