Advent Devotional - Day 8

Sunday, December 6
The Second Sunday of Advent

Every Sunday during Advent we invite you to join us in lighting an Advent wreath in your home. These wreaths can be elaborate parts of your Christmas decor, or they can simply be four candles gathered from around the house (Pinterest is full of inspiration).

Traditionally, many families light their Advent candle at dinnertime or during an evening quiet time. Each week another candle is lit to mark time and bring more light as Christmas draws nearer.

As you light your wreath consider these words...
[Light the first candle in the Advent wreath.]

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” (Mark 1:2-3,, NRSV.)

And John, the messenger of God, proclaimed to all the people who came to him in the wilderness that they must repent of their sins and be baptized. Many people heard his message, repented, and were baptized in the river Jordan.

It has become our custom to prepare for the birth of the Messiah by decorating our cities and homes, hanging lights inside and out, singing "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and measuring the quality of our Christmas morning by the number of gifts we receive.

[Light the second candle in the Advent wreath.]

As we light this second candle in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, perhaps we need to listen again to John the Baptizer’s message, preparing the way of the Lord:

…make straight the paths

…repent of your sins

…be baptized

…and live holy lives devoted to God.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Adapted from umcdiscipleship.com