Family Advent time are some of my most precious and life changing memories from my childhood. On every Sunday during Advent my parents would gather my sister & I around the dining room table; turn off all the lights & light the candle(s) on the Advent Wreath. In that warm candlelit darkness we would read a passage from the Bible, discuss what we just read and then sing some Christmas hymns. I encourage you to do the same with your family.
Read this passage of scripture:
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with this mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Matthew 2: 1 - 12Sing these hymns:
We Three Kings of Orient Are
John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891 John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891
1. We three kings of Orient are: Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
CHORUS
2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
CHORUS
3. Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
CHORUS
4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom: Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
CHORUS
5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia! Sounds thro' the earth and skies.
CHORUS
Chorus
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding. Guide us to Thy perfect light.
A special thanks to "drwestbury" for posting this on YouTube
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
by Edmond H. Sears, 1810-1876 composed by Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900
1. It cam upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing.
2.Still thro' the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing. And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
3. And ye, beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look Now! for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing!
4. For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold. When with the ever circling years Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.
A special thanks to "William Montesinos" for sharing this on YouTube
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I am loving this blog! When I was growing up we did an advent lighting as well. Since then I have not done this. I am late, but going to start this week. Going to go through the different scripture accounts and read, reflect, and give thanks.
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