The word advent from the dictionary means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In our context I’d definitely say all of the above is true! Advent begins the church year and is the season we prepare for the birth of Christ. It is four weeks long and each week symbolizes getting closer to Christmas by lighting another candle. This year we will be using the hymn Christ Be Our Light as the theme for Advent. Each week as we light the candle, we will sing another verse as the Advent wreath gets brighter. Finally on Christmas Eve the center Christ candle will be lit and we will celebrate the birth of the True Light of the World... Jesus Christ!

Christ Be Our Light!

Verse 1
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Verse 2
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow'r to save us.
Make us your living voice.  Refrain

Verse 3
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.  Refrain

Verse 4
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.  Refrain

See you Sunday!