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Advent in the Home The celebration of advent in the Byzantine Church differs from
that in Western Churches. Whereas the season of advent in the West begins on the fourth
Sunday before Christmas (the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Nov. 30),
for us Advent begins after vespers of the feast of St. Philip the Apostle (Nov. 14), with
the Nativity Fast or "Filipovka" (Philip's Fast), forty days before Christmas.
Prepare an Advent wreath with six candles (green, blue, gold, white, purple, red) in a
circle, and the Pascal candle in the center. The First-Sunday of Advent. The candle is green to express faith. As the candle is lit, the leader begins the
prayer by saying: The first candle reminds us of faith; the faith we have in God that He will keep his
promise to send His Son. Verse: (by a member of the family) One Advent candle now we light To show the coming gift of love. Now hasten to our darkened sight The Light that's given from above. Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 40:3-5; 52:7 1 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they
that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto
us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and
with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will
perform this. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the
LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and
every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the
rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it
together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." How beautiful upon the mountains are
the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good
things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Prayer: Holy Trinity, as the world that sat in darkness looked forward to your
coming, so we on this first week of Advent light the candle of anticipation. We eagerly
desire Your coming to our souls to dispel the darkness of sin and pride, to ignite in us
the flame of love and service to others. All glory be Yours, now and forever. Amen. The Second Sunday of Advent The candle is blue to express hope. Prayer begins with the lighting of two
candles. The leader says: Verse: (by a member of the family) Now that Advent lights are two Let us hasten to our vows renew To pilgrim over field and stone To find the Child and be at home. Scripture: "The Promise" Luke 1:5-31 There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and
her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that
Elisabeth was barren, and they both were (now) well stricken in years. Now it came to
pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of
the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at
the hour of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the
right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw (him), and fear
fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication
is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be
great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall
be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of
Israel shall be turn unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before his face in the
spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient (to walk) in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people
prepared (for him). And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am
an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I
am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to
bring thee these good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak,
until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words,
which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and
they marvelled while he tarried in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak
unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued
making signs unto them, and remained dumb. And it came to pass, when the days of his
ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. And after these days Elisabeth
his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord done unto
me in the days wherein he looked upon (me), to take away my reproach among men. Now in the
sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to
a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's
name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the
Lord (is) with thee. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what
manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou
hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a
son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Prayer: Come Lord Jesus, come quickly into our joyless world and into our eager
hearts. Put a smile on our lips for we have been sad too long. You are blessed with your
Father and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. The Third Sunday of Advent The candle is gold to express love. The service begins with the lighting of the first three
candles. (Review what the first two candles signify.) The leader says: As we light the third candle let us remember the words of St. John when he said that
"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." Verse: (by a member of the family) Now three Advent candles burn To promise aching hearts that yearn Beneath open sky or in crowded cell That Christ is coming with them to dwell. Scripture: "The Annunciation" Luke 1:26-38 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of
the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said,
Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord (is) with thee. But she was greatly troubled
at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel
said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be
great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and
of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be,
seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the
holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy
kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with
her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power. And Mary said,
Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel
departed from her. Prayer: Heavenly father, help us to remember Your great Gift to us at Christmas,
the Gift of your love: Jesus. May His love possess our hearts this Advent and flow out
from us to those in need. Amen. The Fourth Sunday of Advent The candle is white to signify peace. The service begins with the lighting of the
first four candles. Review the meaning of the first three colors. The leader says: The fourth candle reminds us of the angel's message to the shepherds, "Peace on
earth, goodwill toward men." Verse: (by a member of the family) Now we with Wise Men turn To seek the Child Who brings us light And follow Him where'er He goes. In blazing sun or darkest night. Scripture: "The Journey to Bethlehem" Luke 2:1-18 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made
when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his
own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And
it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And
there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night
over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid;
for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for
there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And
this (is) the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying
in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in
whom he is well pleased. And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with
haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw
it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And
all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. Prayer: Christ, you are our peace. You broke down the wall of partition that
separates us from God. Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Make us
reconcilers and peacemakers, for we give glory to you now and forever. Amen . The candle is purple to signify repentance. The service begins with the lighting of the
flrst five candles. Review the meaning of the last four candles, i.e., faith, hope,
love and peace. The leader says: The fifth candle reminds us of our need to repent before we can meet the coming Christ.
St. John the Forerunner calls out "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." Scripture: "Preparing the Way" Mark 1: 1-8, 14 and 15 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Even
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who
shall prepare thy way. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of
the Lord, Make his paths straight; John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached
the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the
country of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem; And they were baptized of him in the river
Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and (had) a
leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey. And he preached,
saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am
not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I baptized you in water; But he shall baptize you in
the Holy Spirit. Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe in the gospel. Prayer: Lord, help us make straight the way, for You come to us this Christmas.
Grant us Your grace that we may smooth out the ruts of sin and remove the roadblocks of
pride. Give us the second baptism, the baptism of tears, that we may return to You and,
embraced like the Prodigal Son, be restored to You. Amen. The Sixth Sunday of Advent The candle is red to signify Holy Communion. The service begins with the lighting
of the six candles. Review the meaning of the last five: i.e. faith, hope, love, peace
and repentance. The leader says: The sixth candle reminds us that Christ, who came to Bethlehem and who will come again
at the end of time, comes to us now in the great Sacrament of His Presence, the Eucharist.
The reason He was born in Bethlehem was that we might allow Him to come and be born in the
manger of our hearts. Verse: (said by a member of the family) Come, 0 Word of God Come into our hearts Change us and our world so that we might Your love impart. Scripture: "The coming of the Word" John 1: 1-18; 6:52-58 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him;
and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life
was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended
it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness,
that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not
the light, but (came) that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light,
(even the light) which lighteth every man, coming into the world. He was in the world, and
the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they
that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right
to become children of God, (even) to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word
became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father), full of grace and truth. John beareth witness of him, and crieth,
saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he
was before me. For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was
given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at
any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared
(him). The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his
flesh to eat? Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye
eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He
that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at
the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my
flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and
I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. This
is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that
eateth this bread shall live for ever. Prayer: Lord, we thank You that You not only came to Bethlehem but that You
continue to come to us in every Eucharist. We give you praise and thanks now and forever.
Amen. The Seventh Sunday of Advent The candle for this service is the decorated Pascal Candle
representing Christ. The service begins with the lighting of all seven candles. Review the
meaning of the all the candles, i.e., faith, hope, love, peace, repentance, Emmanuel (God
with Us) in Holy Communion and Christ born in Bethlehem. The leader says: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and His name shall be called
Wonderful." Verse: (by a member of the family) Candies at Christmas! Deep in their warming light Are shepherds fires, a guiding star at night. The holy radiance of a baby's birth, The Christ, who brought the light of God to earth. Scripture: "The Christmas Story" Luke 2: 1-7 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made
when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enroll themselves, every one to his
own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And
it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Prayer: 0 Lord, today the hopes and joys of all the years find their fulfillment
in- your birth. You came to be the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Water of
Life which if anyone drink they would never thirst again. You are the Way, the Truth, the
Life, our Joy, our peace, the Good Shepherd, the Door to God's love, our Refuge, our
Strength. our Redeemer and Friend. We celebrate and rejoice in your coming for You are our
Lord, now and forever. Amen. Prayer Rejoice, 0 faithful, and make ready for the feat of the birth of Christ. The King of kings comes to live with His servant. Behold a most wonderful mystery: the cave will become a heaven; the manager a room where Christ the Savior will be laid in swaddling clothes. Come people slow of heart, cast away the veil of sin, that lies upon your heart; recognize the Maker Who comes to dwell among us. Let us make ready to Him and say: Blessed are You, 0 Lord, God of our fathers, Who Is born of a virgin Praised and glorified is You name Forever! Amen.
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