ADVENT 2025
Week 3
December 14 thru 20
Week 3
Daily Reflections
(to view the Reflections,
click on one of the images below
to open the photo gallery)
Opening Song
Light of the World
John Redgrave
Opening Prayer
O Emmanuel,
may this wreath and its light remind us
that it is Jesus who came to fulfill all our desires.
Bless this wreath and all who gather around it
as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas.
Come, Lord Jesus, bring HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE to our world.
(Light the third candle of the Advent Wreath; Pink)
Scripture Reading
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The wilderness and the parched land will exult;
the Arabah will rejoice and bloom;
the Arabah will rejoice and bloom;
Like the crocus it shall bloom abundantly,
and rejoice with joyful song.
and rejoice with joyful song.
Strengthen hands that are feeble,
make firm knees that are weak,
make firm knees that are weak,
Say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God, he comes to save you.
Here is your God, he comes to save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall see,
and the ears of the deaf be opened;
and the ears of the deaf be opened;
Then the lame shall leap like a stag,
and the mute tongue sing for joy.
and the mute tongue sing for joy.
For waters will burst forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the Arabah.
and streams in the Arabah.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
(Isaiah 35:1-7)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Reflection
Happiness is dependent upon the circumstances in which we find ourselves, while the JOY of the Lord is with us no matter the circumstances. A great way to drive out fear and darkness is by singing a joyful song of praise to the Lord. Shout for JOY with all our hearts, “The LORD, our God, is in our midst!”
Children’s Video
SOUNDING JOY
Ellie Holcomb
Meditation
For Unto Us – JOY
by Lo Alaman
Questions to Contemplate
What makes you happy?
What makes you JOYful?
In what ways can we stay JOYful even if we are not happy?
How is it possible for God’s JOY to be a song in our hearts?
What are some of your favorite songs to sing?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, help us to hear Your Good News during this busy season. May we be aware of the Joy You bring into our lives. We want to find You, our Dayspring, in the everyday moments, so that we may come with hearts of gratitude to Your manger on Christmas.
Closing Song
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Voices Elevated