Today is the beginning of the advent season the start of the new year for the church,  each year we lit candle and have reading that relate to the advent season and this year I want to spend some time talking abut each of the over the next four weeks.  I want our kids to be able to answer the question why do we light these candles each year.  The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolize hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle, which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday.

Sometimes a fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas Day. It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth of Jesus.

Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolized ongoing life. The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward to the longer days of spring.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (New King James Version)
Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: In those days and at that time, I will cause to grow up to David, A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely.    And this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord our righteousness.

Micah 5:2 (New King James Version)
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Colossians 1:26-27 (New International Version)
The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The Promises of Hope

  1. He was a Promise from God
  2. He was from the House of Judah
  3. He was from the family of  David
  4. He will Judge
  5. He will Save
  6. He will be Righteous
  7. He will be from Bethlehem

You can download the PowerPoint presentation: The Hope of a Nation

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