Plain Print: Leader
Bold Print: Congregation
The true light, which enlightens everyone,
was coming into the world. "For God
so loved the world that he gave his only
Son
So that everyone who believes in him may
not perish but may have eternal life."
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into
the world to condemn the world
but in order that the world might be saved
through him."
Although God created us to live in the light
of his presence, sin clouds our sight and
we live in darkness. But God loves us and
sent his Son, Jesus, to bring the light of
God back into our lives. The light exposes
our sinfulness, and we are tempted to run
from the light. But Jesus came, not to judge
and condemn us, but to light our way back
to God, so that we might receive forgiveness
and live in his presence once again.
(Light the first purple candle)
The first candle of Advent is the candle
of Love. We light this candle because Jesus,
the light of the world, came to show us God's
love.
Holy God, we thank you for sending your Son
to light our way back to you. As we gather
in your presence this morning fill our hearts
with a sense of your love, that we may pray
in the confidence that you hear us, we may
sing praises knowing that they please you,
and we may open our hearts and minds so that
you can speak to us. AMEN.