Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

L: Through the darkest nights of the year we have prayed:
P: Come, Lord Jesus.
L: In a world where all can seem lost, we have looked toward this night for hope.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Bringer of Hope.

*lights candle of hope*

L: Our eyes and ears are bombarded with war, violence, disruption, but at the manger there is peace.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace.

*lights candle of peace*

L: In what is sold as a season of merriment, we know that hardship and grief abound. May we not lose sight of our joy in you.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Child of Joy.

*lights candle of joy*

L: Our hearts ache to reach out and touch each other, for kindness to spread like warmth, we long for the fundamental need of all humanity: to love and be loved.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Lover of our Souls.

*lights candle of love*

L: Too long we have walked in the darkness...but on Christmas, 2000 years ago and Christmas today, tonight, a Light has entered the world and the darkness cannot overcome it.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Light of the World,

*lights Christ candle*

L: Christmas is here. Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love are here!
P: Jesus is here, Bethlehem's matchless child!
L: Christmas is here! All the world rejoices!
All: Christmas is here! Let us worship Christ the King!

Lighting of the Advent & Christ Candles (Christmas Eve/Day)

Lighting of the Advent & Christ Candles (Christmas Eve/Day)

L: We light the candle of hope, nurturing that flame that was light when Christ was born
in a manger and kindling it until Christ returns again, renewing and redeeming all creation.

All: O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in the darkness shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

L: We light the candle of peace, seeking to be peacemakers in all we do
and praying for that day when the Prince of Peace shall reign.

All: Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

L: We light the candle of joy, trusting deeply in God’s goodness
and never failing to rely on our Savior, God with us.

All: Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven, and nature sing.

L: We light the candle of love, worshiping a God who is love,
and who gave to us a son, God-incarnate, Emmanuel, God, Love, with us.

All: Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born  at Christmas; star and angels gave the sing.

L: We light the Christ candle, for unto us a Savior was born, born this Christmas morning.

All: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.