Advent Candle 3
Advent Candle 3

Advent Candle 3

Today is the third Sunday of Advent
On the first Sunday in Advent we lit the candle of HOPE
On the second Sunday in Advent we lit the candle of PEACE
Today we light the candle of JOY

Our joy is in God and in his son Jesus Christ.  Like hope and peace, joy is a gift from God.  It blesses us when we remember what God has done and what he has promised to do.
We light this candle today to remind us that Christ came, and  is coming, so that all people might have life in all its fullness, that Christ’s joy may in us and our joy complete. We thank God for the hope he gives us, for the peace he gives us, and for the joy he pours into our hearts.

The third candle is then lit by one of the children

Lighting the third candle on the Advent Crown
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 We pray
O God of Joy,  Emmanuel, send your light into our hearts at this time.  Help us to be ready for the time when we celebrate Christ’s birth. 
Focus our hearts and our minds upon those things you have done and those you have  promised to do that we may have the joy you have promised. 
As we worship you, strengthen us so that we  may always do your will and so bless the world  you have made. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us when we pray to say … The Lord’s Prayer