Advent Wreath Candle Lighting

Fourth Week of Advent, December 20, 2020

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 & Luke 1:26-38

Reader One: We live on the brink every day. We stand on the threshold between this world and the next one. We live and move between the ordinary and divine, between the mundane and the mystery. Too often, we forget to look up and see the angels in our living room. We forget that the love we give and live is a sign of eternity, God with us, right now. We forget that company is coming.

Reader Two: Luke tells us that God’s favor came to a girl, an ordinary girl. It might have been you or your daughter; it might have been the girl down the street or your grandchild. But the messenger of God came and greeted her and said, “The Lord is with you.” What a gift and a promise: Emmanuel, God is with us.

Reader One: We light these candles with peace in our hearts for the promise of proximity, the nearness of God. Even when we forget to listen, to lean into that presence, God is as close as our own breath. This, in a confused and confusing world, is a peace that passes all understanding. It is the peace that knows company is coming.

Reader Two: O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

A Baby Changes Everything

Faith Hill

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what’s to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she’s never touched
How will she keep his trust
A baby changes everything

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can’t stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it’s coming soon
There’s no place, there’s no room
A baby changes everything

Shepherds all gather round

Up above the star shines down
A baby changes everything

Shepherds all gather round

Up above the star shines down
A baby changes everything

Choir of angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything
Hallelujah

My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I’m found

Print a copy of Follow the Star – Advent 2020

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