As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosures, Terms of Use, and privacy policies on my "privacy" page. I never recommend a product I don't love.
Imagine your kitchen table at Christmastime. Little mouths hush as little fingers flick off all the lights in the house. All that is left is darkness. And stillness.
These Advent Candle readings have become my very favorite Advent tradition because of the emotional and physical hush they bring over the house. We intentionally quiet down and listen in while watching the flickering of a single candle.
I also love that it’s something SIMPLE I can do each Advent season. It doesn’t take any prep work and I don’t need supplies, other than the candles (which last a few years).
This is the third of 5 Advent readings, one for each weekend of Advent and one for Christmas Eve. Receive them in printable form and emailed on each weekend of Advent by signing up here.
If you would like more info about the Advent candle tradition, pop over here.
Christmas Eve Advent Reading
Turn off most of the lights in the room.
SAY: Tonight we finally get to light all the candles, because tonight is Christmas Eve! Let’s review what each candle means.
SAY: First we learned that God’s people were waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a Saviour. Then some prophets came and told them God’s plan for sending a baby to be born in Bethlehem.
As you light the first purple candle, SAY together:
God’s people waited for the promise to come true.
SAY: God sent angels to Mary and Joseph, telling them about the baby that Mary was going to have. The baby named Jesus!
As you light the second purple candle, SAY together:
God’s promise came true through Jesus.
SAY: Some shepherds that had a pretty wild night! They met angels and babies, and told the whole town what they had seen.
As you light the pink candle, SAY together:
Shepherds visited Jesus: God’s promise made true.
Last, we learned that God wanted everyone to meet Jesus – from the poor shepherds who lived nearby to the rich and smart Magi who lived far away.
As you light the last purple candle, SAY together:
Wise men searched for God’s promise, and found it in baby Jesus.
Tonight we get to light the last candle, because we celebrate that Jesus was born, and that he is with us always.
As you light the centre candle, SAY together:
Jesus, the promise, is here with us.
ASK: Since Jesus is with us today, tomorrow, and forever, how will you celebrate this Christmas?
FINAL PRAYER:
(have children repeat after you)
Our Father,
who is is heaven,
holy is your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.
Do not lead us into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory
forever and ever,
Amen.
I love this! Thank you for doing this!