Five Advent Readings
By Charles B. French
If you are looking for something to read as you light the candles for Advent, I offer you five passages, one for each Sunday. Each week follows the traditional Advent schedule, talking about the different people who played a role in the Christmas story: the prophet Isaiah, the Shepherds, Mary, the Three Wise Men, and Simeon.
Note: The final reading has two versions, for either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They are the same passages otherwise.
First Sunday Reading
In the beginning, God had a plan. God created a perfect world for human beings, where God and Man would walk together. But Sin entered the world and it was corrupted. Man was forever separated from God. But God had a second plan. A Savior would come to redeem us all.
There was a prophet, Isaiah, who foretold of this Savior. “For unto us a child is born,” he declared, “unto us a Son is given.” Hundreds of years before the coming of this Savior, Isaiah heralded his coming. “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” To his parents, he was called Jesus.
Isaiah never met Jesus, never sat at his feet, never walked the path of a disciple, but he believed. He beheld God’s providence in all its glory. He saw God begin to weave a glorious tapestry that would blanket us all in his love and grace, so that Sin would have no hold over us, so that Sin would no longer separate us from our Creator, so that Sin would be defeated.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. This is a time for reflection and wonder, to contemplate God’s perfect plan. As we light this first Advent candle, let us remember the prophets, who had faith in what they did not see and who proclaimed the coming glory of the King. Let us have faith in God’s unseen hand as it guides us, moves us, and blesses us.
And like Isaiah, let us have faith in the Savior who has come, is here with us now, and will come again.
Second Sunday Reading
They were the lowliest of people. No one sang their praises. They were marginalized, cast aside, rejected. Shepherds were barely worthy of contempt in those days, yet it was to them God sent his heralds to announce the arrival of the Savior.
On a quiet night outside Bethlehem, as they watched over their flocks, an angel appeared to them. These men, possibly expecting God’s judgment upon their heads, were told to not be afraid. The angel was not there to judge, but to proclaim the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.
What must it have been like to be in that field, surrounded by choirs of angels singing praises? What did they think when they realized that, of all the people in the world, it was to them this good news had been delivered? Did they know that from this moment on, they would be exalted as the first witnesses of the coming of the King?
What we do know is that these men, fresh from the fields, hurried to see this child. Born in a stable, lying in a manger, this child surely didn’t look like a king. He, too, would be cast aside, spat upon, rejected, and condemned. But through Him would God’s Kingdom come, and the humble and meek would inherit the earth.
Today is the second Sunday in Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. This is a time we rejoice in the glad tidings of Christ’s birth. As we light this second Advent candle, let us remember the shepherds, humble men who gladly received the message of Christ. Though the world rejected them, God invited them to be witnesses of this great moment in history.
Let us not be afraid, for the Good News is here.
Third Sunday Reading
She was just a child herself. She had barely seen the world. The only life she knew was in quiet obscurity. But God had a different plan for Mary. He had a purpose and a place for this unknown woman. And Mary, upon hearing the angel’s tidings, submitted to God’s purpose.
To her God blessed with a Child of her own, conceived not from the man who would be her husband, but from the Holy Spirit. A Child unlike any other: foretold by the prophets, awaited by her people, and a blessing to those who’d follow. This child was to be named Jesus. This child would be the Messiah, the Christ, Savior of all.
But it would be a hard road for the mother of Jesus. For a time, her husband rejected her and she was forced to seek refuge with her cousin. Even when Joseph welcomed her back, the journey was still far from easy. A great census was called, and Mary, carrying the child, was forced to journey with her husband to Bethlehem, city of David, to be counted. Upon their arrival, they discovered that there was no room at the inn. Desperate, tired, and about to give birth, Mary and her husband sought refuge in the stables.
But though all those troubles, God was ever present. Through Mary His great plan had begun, prophesy that foretold this blessed event was fulfilled, and the greatest man to walk the earth took his first breath. It began in a manger and would end on a cross, but in that humility would come the greatest gift we could ever receive.
Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas. This is a time we recall with wonder how God often uses the humblest for His great purpose. As we light this fourth advent candle, let us remember Mary, who gladly accepted God’s call, knowing the life it meant for her. Let us use this time to ponder God’s call to us, and prepare ourselves to submit, as Mary did, to God’s wonders.
Let your heart and mind find peace as you follow after God.
Fourth Sunday Reading
No one knows the distance they traveled. No one knows the hardships they faced. No one knows what it cost them. But we all know why they came. They came to see the king.
They were three Magi from the east: scholars, astronomers, wise men. They looked to the heavens and saw God’s proclamation: somewhere on Earth, the king had come. They followed a star, not knowing where it would take them, but they knew who waited. Gathering gifts of great value, gold and incense and myrrh, they sought out the king.
As they drew closer, they met another king, Herod, who jealously guarded his power. When Herod learned of this newborn king, he wanted to eliminate him. Herod told the Magi to find this new king for him, so that he too may worship.
The Magi followed the star and when it stopped, they found their king in his mother’s arms. Joy filled them, and they bowed and worshiped their king, Jesus. They presented him with their gifts, not yet knowing the great gift that this king would one day give to them.
Herod’s scheme was thwarted, as the Magi were warned in a dream of Herod’s intent. They traveled a different path back home, full of hope, love, joy and peace. They had found their king.
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas. This is a time we prepare for the celebration that commemorates the coming of our King. As we light this fourth advent candle, let us remember the Magi, who journeyed on faith. Let us use this time to reflect upon God’s great gift to us and to humble ourselves in the presence of our King.
Let nothing hinder your journey as you follow God’s path.
Christmas Eve Reading
Imagine what it must have been like to see God’s promise unfolding, to see the beginnings of a great change, to see the first steps that would lead to salvation and grace for the world.
There was a man who held God’s promise in his hands. He was Simeon, a devout and righteous man who lived in Jerusalem 2000 years before us. God gave him a most unique promise: Simeon would not enter God’s kingdom in Heaven until he saw the King on Earth.
As was the custom in those days, Joseph and Mary brought their infant child into the temple courts; Simeon was waiting. Taking the child Jesus in his arms, he saw God’s promise fulfilled.
What did he see when he looked upon the child? Did he see the road ahead? Did he see the child gather followers and friends? Did he see the child heal the sick and minister to the poor and outcast? Did he see the child betrayed by a kiss and sentenced to die? Did he see the child fulfill God’s plan and save us all?
Today is the eve of Christmas Day, the time we celebrate the coming of the child, the coming of our king, and the coming of our salvation. As we light this final advent candle, which represents God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus, let us prepare our hearts for the gifts God has for us and let us reflect upon the abundant blessings He has already bestowed upon us. Let there be hope and joy and love and peace. Our king has come. Our king is here. Our king will return.
Christmas Day Reading
Imagine what it must have been like to see God’s promise unfolding, to see the beginnings of a great change, to see the first steps that would lead to salvation and grace for the world.
There was a man who held God’s promise in his hands. He was Simeon, a devout and righteous man who lived in Jerusalem 2000 years before us. God gave him a most unique promise: Simeon would not enter God’s kingdom in Heaven until he saw the King on Earth.
As was the custom in those days, Joseph and Mary brought their infant child into the temple courts; Simeon was waiting. Taking the child Jesus in his arms, he saw God’s promise fulfilled.
What did he see when he looked upon the child? Did he see the road ahead? Did he see the child gather followers and friends? Did he see the child heal the sick and minister to the poor and outcast? Did he see the child betrayed by a kiss and sentenced to die? Did he see the child fulfill God’s plan and save us all?
Today is Christmas day, the time we celebrate the coming of the child, the coming of our king, and the coming of our salvation. As we light this final advent candle which represents God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus, let us prepare our hearts for the gifts God has for us and let us reflect upon the abundant blessings He has already bestowed upon us. Let there be hope and joy and love and peace. Our king has come. Our king is here. Our king will return.
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Five Advent Readings Copyright © 2011 Charles B. French. All Rights Reserved.
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