Sunday, December 16th is the Third Sunday of Advent.
Many families find that lighting an Advent wreath at home is a meaningful faith practice to add to their Christmas family traditions. Check here each week for a scripture message and prayer that you may use for lighting your family Advent wreath.
Scripture: John 1:6-8 A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself was not the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.
Message: This is the third Sunday in Advent. Today we light three candles. The first week, we lit the candle of hope. The next week, we lit the candle of love. Today we light the candle of Joy, which may be pink in your wreath. One thing that sometimes happens as we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birth is that we expect to be happy all the time. Joy is not the same as happy. Joy is a deeper feeling created by knowing that God cares for us. Joy is remembering that God sent Jesus so we would always know of God's care.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the joy remembering Jesus' birth brings us today. Help us live in such a way that our words and our actions help others to know of the joy you give. Amen.
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