A couple of years ago I started an advent candle lighting tradition with the neighborhood kids. You can do it too. Just let your neighbors know and meet out in your front yard. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it can be messy, just do it.
What you need:
Advent wreath and candles
Lighter
Candy
Optional: Manger scene
Meet every Advent Sunday or just once each week before Christmas.
Teachers Overview-
The word advent means coming.
The wreath symbolizes the passing of time.
Candles represent:
1st Sunday – Hope, purple
2nd Sunday – Peace, purple
3rd Sunday – Joy, pink
4th Sunday – Love, purple
Christmas Eve/Day – Light, Jesus is the light of the world giving the gift of eternal life, white (center candle sometimes not included in the wreath)
Optional Song to do before or after
Optional –
While kids are gathering, start with a game of Simon Says but use real names, Mrs. Christy says to get them in the habit of listening to you. Other kids can be SImon too if need to pass time.
Week 1 Lesson:
We are going to talk about Advent; what it means and what this wreath and the candles mean too. At the end of our story I will need a helper to help me light the first candle, we will light one candle each week. Only someone listening and raising their hand will be selected. I know not everyone will be able to be a helper but I also have little candy canes for all my good listeners who raise their hands to answer questions.
(If you have a manger scene it can be helpful to pass out pieces for the kids to hold each week while they are listening.)
Have you ever seen an advent wreath and candles? They are all symbols; a symbol is something you can see that helps you think of or remember something that you cannot see.
The word advent means coming. This time of year what are some things we are excited about, that are coming up? Remember to raise your hand. (Allow them some time to answer)
So the word advent means coming and the wreath means or symbolizes the passing of time. And each of these candles remind us of the Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Light that Jesus brings us. Today let’s talk about hope.
What do you think hope is?(Allow some time to answer) Some think of hope as a feeling but hope is more of a way of thinking. In the Bible hope is a confidence (a sure thing) that God keeps his promises.
Open your bible and read John 1:1-5
(This will be the emphasis reading each week, with a focus to memorize vs 5)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (have them repeat the last verse after you)
John 1:1-5 (Read again with the new Jesus emphasis)
1 In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. 2 Jesus was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Jesus all things were made; without Jesus nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light, Jesus, shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (have them repeat the last verse after you)
John 1:1-5 is talking about Jesus. The hope that the bible talks about is a trust in Jesus and what He has done for us. We know that God keeps His word and that we can trust in Him. This is our hope, that believing and trusting in Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life.
End in short prayer.
Choose one or two helpers to carefully light the (purple) Hope candle.
You can also choose another helper to blow out the candle if you wish.
Pass out small candy canes or lollipops if you used/needed as incentive.
Invite everyone to come back for week 2.
