Advent Reading 2025 (1)

WEEK 1 – THE CANDLE OF PROMISE

Theme: Christ Our Hope — God Keeps His Word

Reader 1: Today we light the Candle of Promise. From the beginning, God declared that a Savior would come — One who would conquer darkness and restore hope.

Reader 2: God’s promises never fail. Every prophecy finds its “Yes” in Jesus.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.””

Isaiah 9:2–7 “2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Luke 1:30–33 “30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.””

Congregational Response

All: “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” — Psalm 33:20

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being a promise-keeping God. As we begin this Advent season, strengthen our hope in Christ alone. Amen.