2021 Advent Wreath Lighting Activities

Advent is the season when we prepare for the birth of Jesus!

An Advent wreath can help you get ready. Build a wreath and light the candle(s) each Sunday to center yourself on Christ as you read the accompanying prayer.
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We have included paper ornaments and a scripture coloring page you can decorate while you ask some questions to generate discussion about hope, peace, joy, and love.

Extra materials are available at the church office if you weren't able to attend the November 28th "Make & Take" activity at church. Or, if you have your own candles and green paper, here are some instructions you can use (or adapt) according to what you already have at home.

Lisa Stewart
Foothills United Methodist Church
Children & Family Ministries
​1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Light the first purple candle for hope.

Pray: “Loving God, thank you for lighting our way. Help us to bring hope to others by shining your light for all to see. During this Advent season, we eagerly wait for the coming of Jesus. Amen.”

Decorate the “HOPE” ornaments and color the scripture coloring page while you discuss what hope is. Display it a reminder that Jesus gives us hope.

Questions:
  • Why do you think the promise of a Savior gave people hope in the Old Testament long before Jesus was born?
  • Why is having hope something worth celebrating?
2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: DECEMBER 5
Light 1 purple candle and a second purple candle for peace.

Pray: “Jesus, you are our greatest gift. Fill our homes with peace and make us ready to receive you. Amen.”

Decorate the word “PEACE” and color the scripture coloring page while you discuss what peace is. Hang it on your tree as a reminder that Jesus brings us peace.

Questions:
  • God told his prophet Isaiah that he would send someone who would bring peace, and his name would be Immanuel which means “God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14) Jesus is Immanuel--God with us--and brings peace to our hearts even when things are going wrong all around us. How can Jesus give you peace in your life right now?
  • As you color the Isaiah 9:5 coloring page, how many names for Jesus do you hear in this verse?
 
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: DECEMBER 12
Light the first and second purple candles and the pink candle for joy.

Pray: “Living God, fill us with joy and wonder in all your creation. Help us to bring joy to others though our words and actions. Amen.”

Decorate the “JOY” ornaments and color the scripture coloring page while you discuss what joy is. Display it as a reminder that Jesus gives us joy.

Questions:
  • How does believing in Jesus give people joy?  (for example, Jesus brings joy. Joy that we are not alone because God is always with us. Joy that we have many blessings that we can be grateful for. Joy that God will always love us, no matter what.)
  • What’s something you enjoy about Christmas?
  • What’s the difference between enjoying something and having joy?
  • Does it seem hard to have joy right now in your life? Why or why not? Let’s pray about those things now.
4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19
Light 2 purple candles, the pink candle, & the 3rd purple candle for love.

Pray: “Creator God, fill us with a desire to love you and love our neighbors. Help us to listen to your voice in our lives each day. Amen.”

Decorate the “LOVE” ornaments and color the scripture coloring page while you discuss what love is. Display it as a reminder that Jesus is love.

Questions:
  • Can you think of some people in the Bible or Bible verses that teach us about love?
  • Why does God love us?
  • How can you show God’s love to someone else this week?
CHRISTMAS EVE: DECEMBER 24
Light all purple and pink candles and the white Christ candle in the center.

Pray: “Gracious and Loving God, thank you for coming to live among us. Throughout the coming year, help us to live with hope, love, joy, and peace. Amen.”

Decorate the “CHRIST” ornaments and color the scripture coloring page while you discuss what it means that Jesus is the Christ. Display it as a reminder that Jesus is the Christ.
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Questions:
  • What does the word Christ mean?  (Christ is a special title that means “the Anointed One” or “the Chosen One.”)
  • Why do you think the word “Christ” is part of the word “Christmas”?
  • What are some examples of how Jesus showed he is the Christ?
  • How does being a follower of Jesus help you live with hope, love, joy, and peace?
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