Advent candle readings A reading, a response and a prayer for each Sunday of Advent and for Christmas Eve, 2026. First Sunday of Advent: the candle of hope The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 on those living in the land of the shadow Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 of death, a light has dawned. For unto us a child is born, Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 unto us a son is given, and the government Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Leader The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. People On those living in the land of the shadow People of death, a light has dawned. Leader God promised a Son who would reign on the throne of David forever. People God keeps his word, and we wait for Christ with hope. All Lord Jesus, you are the light the prophets saw from far off. All Keep us watching for you this month, and keep us ready All for the day you come again. Amen. Second Sunday of Advent: the candle of peace But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, Micah 5:2a, 4-5a out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel. Micah 5:2a, 4-5a He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, Micah 5:2a, 4-5a in the majestic name of the LORD His God. Micah 5:2a, 4-5a And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend Micah 5:2a, 4-5a to the ends of the earth. And He will be our peace. Micah 5:2a, 4-5a Leader Bethlehem was small among the clans of Judah. People Out of Bethlehem came the ruler God promised. Leader He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD. People And He will be our peace. All Prince of Peace, you made peace between God and sinners All by the blood of your cross. Quiet our hearts All and our homes this week, and make us people All who make peace. Amen. Third Sunday of Advent: the candle of joy And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, Luke 2:8-14 keeping watch over their flocks by night. Luke 2:8-14 Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, Luke 2:8-14 and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:8-14 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Luke 2:8-14 For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be Luke 2:8-14 for all the people: Today in the city of David Luke 2:8-14 a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! Luke 2:8-14 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped Luke 2:8-14 in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude Luke 2:8-14 of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: Luke 2:8-14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men Luke 2:8-14 on whom His favor rests!” Luke 2:8-14 Leader Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy Leader that will be for all the people. People Today in the city of David a Savior has been born. People He is Christ the Lord! Leader Glory to God in the highest, People and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests! All Father, give us the joy the shepherds had, All and send us out like them to tell what we have heard and seen. Amen. Fourth Sunday of Advent: the candle of love This is how God’s love was revealed among us: 1 John 4:9-10 God sent His one and only Son into the world, 1 John 4:9-10 so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: 1 John 4:9-10 not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son 1 John 4:9-10 as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 Leader This is how God’s love was revealed among us: People God sent His one and only Son into the world, People so that we might live through Him. Leader God loved us first. People He sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. All Father, thank you for loving us before we ever loved you. All Teach us to love each other the way you have loved us in Jesus. Amen. Christmas Eve: the Christ candle In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, John 1:1-5, 14 and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-5, 14 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made John 1:1-5, 14 that has been made. In Him was life, John 1:1-5, 14 and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, John 1:1-5, 14 and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh John 1:1-5, 14 and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, John 1:1-5, 14 the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, John 1:1-5, 14 full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5, 14 Leader In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, Leader and the Word was God. People The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Leader The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. People We have seen His glory, full of grace and truth. All Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men All on whom His favor rests! All Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to us. You came once to Bethlehem, All and you will come again in glory. Keep us faithful until that day. Amen. Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible, dedicated to the public domain. Responses and prayers from Church Posting, free to copy for any church.