Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church

8585 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55369

mgefc.org

Advent Guide

Advent Worship
Sunday Morning Worship Services
9:30am & 11:00am
Sunday, November 30 A Song of Mercy: Marys Song
Sunday, December 7 A Song of Salvation: Zechariahs Song
Sunday, December 14 A Song of Glory: Angels Song
Sunday, December 21 A Song of Peace: Simeons Song

White Candle of

Christ

Activity
Candy canes look a lot like shepherds staffs and can
remind us of the shepherds being the first to worship Jesus.
Place one candy cane on your tree for everything you
are thankful for this year.

Christmas Eve Worship Services

3:00pm, 5:00pm & 11:00pm
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
Heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glory of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love.

Christmas Eve & Day

Light all of the candles including the white one and read
about God dwelling with men as a baby and a king. Remind
each other that God chose to become a man.
The white Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is
the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our
sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for
our birth!

Read: Luke 2:8-28

Sing: Joy to the World

Advent

Guide

Christmas comes full with anticipation.

While we celebrate with worship services, time
with family and friends, and serving those in
need; parties, presents, and the rush of the
holiday season still inundate us. Our lives can
become so busy celebrating Christmas that we
somehow miss out on celebrating Jesus. Our lives
often resemble the response of the inn keeper to
Mary and Joseph no room. Christians
throughout the ages have used candles and a
wreath to assist them in slowing down and
making room for Jesus. This guide is a simple
tool for you to use personally or with family and
friends to prepare room for Jesus this Christmas.
Come let us adore him!

What is Advent?
Advent comes from the Latin word
meaning arrival and represents a season of

anticipation and celebration of the coming of

Christ. Long awaited by the people of Israel, the
first coming of Christ was foretold many times
throughout history. They waited for a savior who
would rescue and restore them. His coming was
the hope of Israel.
Just like the Israelites at the time of Christs first
coming, we celebrate. Advent is a season of
jubilation and reflection, remembering and
watching. It is a time to remember the fulfilled
promises of God in Christs coming and the hope
we have as we look forward to his return.
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before
Christmas and continues until Christmas Day.
It is a season for the church to remember and
celebrate the coming of the Savior.

Purple Candle of

Love

Activity
Do an Advent service project together. Collect food for
the needy, bake for a neighbor, make a care package
for a missionary or someone in the military, or any other
project that reflects Christs love.

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing oer the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo
See Him in a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Saviors birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Four

Advent Week

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle and
read about the angels proclaiming the coming of Christ.
The candle of love, otherwise known as the angel
candle, represents the angels announcing the
good news of the Savior. We too, can announce
the Saviors birth through our faith and love.

Read: Luke 2:1-18

Reflect: In what ways can we remember that Jesus
came to save us as Emmanuel, God with us?

Sing: Angels We Have Heard On High

The Advent

Wreath

Starting in the 4th century, believers have set aside

time to prepare for Christ. During the Middle
Ages, believers celebrated Christs birth by using
a cartwheel wreath decorated with evergreen
branches and candles, symbolizing the eternal
(the wheel) and the hope (the lights and
evergreen) that Christ brings.

As we celebrate Advent together, we encourage

you to make your own wreath or purchase one.
Each day light the corresponding candle as a
family, indivudually or with friends to continue to
prepare your heart for the celebration of
Christmas this year.
The Advent wreath traditionally has four candles.
Three purple candles, signifying humility for the
first, second and fourth weeks of Advent, and a
pink candle, representing joy, lit during the third
week. Many today add a fifth white candle in
the center to symbolize the coming of Christ.

Readings for the Fourth Week of Advent:

Monday: Luke 1:26-38
Tuesday: Luke 1:39-45
Wednesday: Luke 1:46-56
Thursday: Luke 2:8-14
Friday: Luke 2:15-20
Saturday: Philippians 2:1-11

Advent Week

One

Light a purple candle and read the

promise of the Messiah.
The hope candle reminds us of the prophets who
hoped and prayed about what God would do
for his people. They predicted and anticipated
the birth of Jesus that would bring hope, peace,
joy, love and salvation to the world.

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Reflect: How does this passage in Isaiah instill hope
in Gods promises whether at Christmas or all
year long?

Sing: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Readings For the First Week of Advent:

Monday: Isaiah 7:10-15
Tuesday: Micah 5:2-5
Wednesday: Isaiah 40:1-8
Thursday: Isaiah 40:9-11
Friday: Isaiah 55:1-13
Saturday: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Pink Candle of

Joy

Activity
Write a family letter to Jesus telling him why you are
glad he came and what each family member is looking
forward to in celebrating his birth.

We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.
Born a king on Bethlehems plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.
Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Advent Week

Three

Light the pink candle, the two

purple candles, and read about
God becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The joy candle represents the joy the wisemen
experienced when they discovered Christ. They
shared the joy of Jesus birth, just as we can share
with others the joy of his presence in our lives.

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Reflect: What can we learn from the magi about
finding joy in seeking Jesus?

Sing: We Three Kings

Readings For the third Week of Advent:

Monday: Psalm 100
Tuesday: Psalm 103
Wednesday: Psalm 150
Thursday: Isaiah 50:4-9
Friday: Luke 2:25-32
Saturday: Luke 2:33-40

Purple Candle of

Hope

Activity
As Christmas cards arrive, save them with the Advent
wreath and use your Advent prayer time to pray for the
senders. Pray that they will experience the hope that Jesus
provides.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Desire of the nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!

Advent Week

Two

Light two purple candles and read about God

becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The preparation candle, also known as the
Bethlehem candle, reminds us that Jesus was
born as a human baby at a specific time and
place to bring peace amid fears and human
failings.

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Reflect: What does Jesuss birth show you about
Gods faithfulness?

Sing: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Readings for the Second Week of Advent:

Monday: Isaiah 11:1-10
Tuesday: Luke 2:4-7
Wednesday: Matthew 2:1-12
Thursday: Isaiah 49:1-6
Friday: John 3:16-17
Saturday: Isaiah 61:1-6

Purple Candle of

Preparation

Activity
This activity can help visual learners summarize the
passage. Together draw a set of pictures to tell the story
of Luke 1:16-38. Hang your pictures on your refrigerator
as a reminder of this weeks candle.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

Advent Week

Two

Light two purple candles and read about God

becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The preparation candle, also known as the
Bethlehem candle, reminds us that Jesus was
born as a human baby at a specific time and
place to bring peace amid fears and human
failings.

Read: Luke 1:26-38

Reflect: What does Jesuss birth show you about
Gods faithfulness?

Sing: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Readings for the Second Week of Advent:

Monday: Isaiah 11:1-10
Tuesday: Luke 2:4-7
Wednesday: Matthew 2:1-12
Thursday: Isaiah 49:1-6
Friday: John 3:16-17
Saturday: Isaiah 61:1-6

Purple Candle of

Preparation

Activity
This activity can help visual learners summarize the
passage. Together draw a set of pictures to tell the story
of Luke 1:16-38. Hang your pictures on your refrigerator
as a reminder of this weeks candle.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

Advent Week

Three

Light the pink candle, the two

purple candles, and read about
God becoming flesh and dwelling with us.
The joy candle represents the joy the wisemen
experienced when they discovered Christ. They
shared the joy of Jesus birth, just as we can share
with others the joy of his presence in our lives.

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Reflect: What can we learn from the magi about
finding joy in seeking Jesus?

Sing: We Three Kings

Readings For the third Week of Advent:

Monday: Psalm 100
Tuesday: Psalm 103
Wednesday: Psalm 150
Thursday: Isaiah 50:4-9
Friday: Luke 2:25-32
Saturday: Luke 2:33-40

Purple Candle of

Hope

Activity
As Christmas cards arrive, save them with the Advent
wreath and use your Advent prayer time to pray for the
senders. Pray that they will experience the hope that Jesus
provides.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Desire of the nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
To thee shall come Emmanuel!

Advent Week

One

Light a purple candle and read the

promise of the Messiah.
The hope candle reminds us of the prophets who
hoped and prayed about what God would do
for his people. They predicted and anticipated
the birth of Jesus that would bring hope, peace,
joy, love and salvation to the world.

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Reflect: How does this passage in Isaiah instill hope
in Gods promises whether at Christmas or all
year long?

Sing: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Readings For the First Week of Advent:

Monday: Isaiah 7:10-15
Tuesday: Micah 5:2-5
Wednesday: Isaiah 40:1-8
Thursday: Isaiah 40:9-11
Friday: Isaiah 55:1-13
Saturday: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Pink Candle of

Joy

Activity
Write a family letter to Jesus telling him why you are
glad he came and what each family member is looking
forward to in celebrating his birth.

We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.
Born a king on Bethlehems plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.
Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Four

Advent Week

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle and
read about the angels proclaiming the coming of Christ.
The candle of love, otherwise known as the angel
candle, represents the angels announcing the
good news of the Savior. We too, can announce
the Saviors birth through our faith and love.

Read: Luke 2:1-18

Reflect: In what ways can we remember that Jesus
came to save us as Emmanuel, God with us?

Sing: Angels We Have Heard On High

The Advent

Wreath

Starting in the 4th century, believers have set aside

time to prepare for Christ. During the Middle
Ages, believers celebrated Christs birth by using
a cartwheel wreath decorated with evergreen
branches and candles, symbolizing the eternal
(the wheel) and the hope (the lights and
evergreen) that Christ brings.

As we celebrate Advent together, we encourage

you to make your own wreath or purchase one.
Each day light the corresponding candle as a
family, indivudually or with friends to continue to
prepare your heart for the celebration of
Christmas this year.
The Advent wreath traditionally has four candles.
Three purple candles, signifying humility for the
first, second and fourth weeks of Advent, and a
pink candle, representing joy, lit during the third
week. Many today add a fifth white candle in
the center to symbolize the coming of Christ.

Readings for the Fourth Week of Advent:

Monday: Luke 1:26-38
Tuesday: Luke 1:39-45
Wednesday: Luke 1:46-56
Thursday: Luke 2:8-14
Friday: Luke 2:15-20
Saturday: Philippians 2:1-11

What is Advent?
Advent comes from the Latin word
meaning arrival and represents a season of

anticipation and celebration of the coming of

Christ. Long awaited by the people of Israel, the
first coming of Christ was foretold many times
throughout history. They waited for a savior who
would rescue and restore them. His coming was
the hope of Israel.
Just like the Israelites at the time of Christs first
coming, we celebrate. Advent is a season of
jubilation and reflection, remembering and
watching. It is a time to remember the fulfilled
promises of God in Christs coming and the hope
we have as we look forward to his return.
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before
Christmas and continues until Christmas Day.
It is a season for the church to remember and
celebrate the coming of the Savior.

Purple Candle of

Love

Activity
Do an Advent service project together. Collect food for
the needy, bake for a neighbor, make a care package
for a missionary or someone in the military, or any other
project that reflects Christs love.

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing oer the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo
See Him in a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Saviors birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Christmas Eve & Day

Light all of the candles including the white one and read
about God dwelling with men as a baby and a king. Remind
each other that God chose to become a man.
The white Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is
the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our
sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for
our birth!

Read: Luke 2:8-28

Sing: Joy to the World

Advent

Guide

Christmas comes full with anticipation.

While we celebrate with worship services, time
with family and friends, and serving those in
need; parties, presents, and the rush of the
holiday season still inundate us. Our lives can
become so busy celebrating Christmas that we
somehow miss out on celebrating Jesus. Our lives
often resemble the response of the inn keeper to
Mary and Joseph no room. Christians
throughout the ages have used candles and a
wreath to assist them in slowing down and
making room for Jesus. This guide is a simple
tool for you to use personally or with family and
friends to prepare room for Jesus this Christmas.
Come let us adore him!

Advent Worship
Sunday Morning Worship Services
9:30am & 11:00am
Sunday, November 30 A Song of Mercy: Marys Song
Sunday, December 7 A Song of Salvation: Zechariahs Song
Sunday, December 14 A Song of Glory: Angels Song
Sunday, December 21 A Song of Peace: Simeons Song

White Candle of

Christ

Activity
Candy canes look a lot like shepherds staffs and can
remind us of the shepherds being the first to worship Jesus.
Place one candy cane on your tree for everything you
are thankful for this year.

Christmas Eve Worship Services

3:00pm, 5:00pm & 11:00pm
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
Heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glory of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love.

Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church

8585 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55369
mgefc.org

Advent Guide