Weekly Advent Wreath Prayers
Many churches provide Advent wreath materials, devotionals, and prayer guides. If yours does not—or if you just want to learn a little more about the tradition—this post is for you. If you are looking for more Advent resources, I’ve put together a list helpful things here!
The Advent wreath provides a way of marking time through the season leading up to Christmas. As another candle is lit each week, the light in the darkness grows brighter and brighter until the Light of the World arrives. The Advent wreath opens space to slow down amid a busy season of preparations, and to spend time in prayer and reflection as a family.
Symbolically, the circle of the wreath represents God’s infinite and unending love, and the evergreen represents the everlasting life we receive through his Son. The candles, of course, represent Jesus as the Light of the World. Purple, the color of the three candles, symbolizes not only penitence, but also royalty, signaling the coming of a King.
Thematically, the first week of Advent focuses on hope, the second week on peace, the third on joy (represented by the pink candle), and the fourth on love. Reflecting on these virtues each week rather than the scripture passages may be more appropriate for very young children. A fifth white candle--the Christ candle--may also be added and lit on Christmas day, and through Christmastide.
At the bottom of this post are prayers that can be offered as the candles are lit each week (or evening) along with scripture passages for discussion at meal or bed time. These passages were selected from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Making an Advent wreath is simple! All you need is a wreath ring, the proper candles, and some greenery. Pro tip: If you get your tree on the first day of Advent, you can ask to keep your tree clippings and use it for the greenery around the wreath.
Weekly Advent Wreath Prayers
Below are weekly Advent week prayers for personal use. If you would like to distribute, or would like a full Advent Guide for your family, including weekly Advent wreath devotionals, check out the Little Way Advent Guide. (Churches, please purchase the Group License Advent Guide to distribute prayers among your congregation.)
First Week: Hope (Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44)
God of hope, we light this candle as we prepare for the coming of your Son. Awaken our hearts to you this Advent season, so that when Christ arrives, we are ready to receive him with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength. Amen. (Light one purple candle.)
Second Week: Peace (Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12)
God of peace, during this Advent season, keep us from getting caught up in the busyness and chaos of the world around us. Help us to slow down, so that we may find rest in the Prince of Peace, your son, Jesus Christ. As we prepare for his coming, make us instruments of your peace in our homes, in our schools, in our work and in our world. Amen. (Light two purple candles).
Third Week: Joy (Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11)
God of joy, it is in your love that we find lasting joy. Keep us from seeking happiness in things that will not last, for we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out of it. Teach us instead to find joy in the gift of your Son, who came into this world with nothing, yet gave us everything. May his joy bubble up in our hearts and overflow to all we meet this Advent season. Amen. (Light two purple and one pink candle.)
Fourth Week: Love (Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25)
God of love, you sent your Son, Jesus, to shine bright like the sun, lighting the way for all who walk in darkness. May the light of Christ’s hope, peace, joy and love shine bright in us as we approach his coming, that we may be ready to welcome him on Christmas day and every day. Amen. (Light all four candles.)