The four Sundays of Advent are designed to help Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas. A time of reflection and anticipation, Advent begins as a time of darkness within which a single candle of Hope is burning. As the Sundays of Advent unfold, more candles are lit and colorful decorations begin to appear in the Sanctuary.

• The First Sunday in Advent, November 29th - The Advent Candle of Hope is lit and the Chrismon Tree is presented.
• The Second Sunday in Advent, December 6th - The Advent Candle of Peace joins the Candle of Hope; the beautiful Poinsettia Tree is presented
• The Third Sunday in Advent, December 13th - The rose-colored Candle of Joy is added to the Advent Wreath.
• The Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 20th - The Candle of Love completes the outside ring of the Advent Wreath leaving unlit only the Christ Candle in the center. This will be lit on Christmas Eve.

Each Sunday in Advent this year, we will be singing a special song as the Advent Candles are lit. It is an adaptation of the beautiful carol, "Of The Father's Love Begotten":

Of the Father's love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He.
Come with Hope (Peace, Joy, Love) and light a candle!
Hear the Advent angels sing!
Christ is coming, Allelu-ia!