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.
-----------------------
To see what other scripts are available, go here
Five Advent Readings Copyright © 2011 Charles B. French. All Rights Reserved.
You may perform this script for free as long as no admission is charged
for the performance. I would love to hear about how it went, so drop me a
line – you can find the address here.
Permission is required for performances in which admission is charged,
to record a performance of this script, or post any audio or video this
script online.
