The HOPE candle reading for this year can be found here: https://homespunresources.com/2025/11/26/advent-2025-hope/

Here are all the rest…

PEACE

Leader: As another year ends and begins

People: We light candles as a sign of our persistent prayers for true peace

Not the illusion of calm or the intimidated silence

Not the immobility of the deer in the headlights

Letting others’ reflexes decide her fate

Not misplaced trust in the false promise that things will get easier next week

But peace that is confidence in the creator of the universe

Who knows our names and has a plan and enough grace to get us there

Peace of the early morning birds who know the sun will rise

Peace of the soaking rain and the summer coast

Peace that moves us out of the weeds and out among the trees

Peace that puts down the phone and does the thing

Peace of the low grey clouds of witnesses surrounding us with care

Peace to all in conflicts and transitions small, constant, and ultimate

Peace along every shifting border

The deep peace of Grandma’s home-cooking for all

God, help us find and make peace in the wide world

As we do in the great outdoors and the big dark

Help us be present and savor the moment

And step boldly into a future neither calm nor bright

Help us hear Your voice when you tell us:

Do not be afraid to reach out for me and each other

Do not be afraid to be who you are right now

or who you are becoming in Christ.

Amen, may it be so.

JOY

Leader: As another year ends and begins

People: We light candles as a sign of our commitment to joy

In the face of the fragility of youth and the frailty of age

In the face of divisive and questionable sources

We watch for God’s joy at work in God’s good creation

Joy that jumps to its collective feet

When our trailing team gets back in the game

Joy that whoops and hollers and high fives strangers

Joy like the audience transported by a story

Joy like the music itself unifying a choir

Joy like blankets and soup and a cozy fire on a cold day

Joy like lemonade and boba when it’s hot

The joy of good conversation when we dare

To talk about what we’re afraid to talk about

God of joy, renew in us ice cream wishes

and cotton candy dreams

Help us trust You enough to say, “Surprise me.”

Help us hear Your voice when You tell us:

Do not be afraid to speak up and move forward

Do not be afraid to change the world

God, You come close when we cry out for You, saying

“Do not be afraid. You are a people formed and favored.”

We’re on a mission from God.

May all your holy-laughter plans for us and our world come to pass.

Amen, may it be so.

LOVE

Leader: As another year ends and begins

People: We light candles as a sign of Love’s ultimate reign

In the face of death and loss and loneliness

We remain sure of God’s love at work in God’s good creation

Love as promise more than command

Love as balm for the wounds love opened

Love like a well-stocked food bank

with everyone’s favorites on the shelves

Love like an exquisitely crafted menu

Each course balancing the last and complementing the next

A meal that multiplies in the sharing

Love that converts our anxious energy into concern for others

Love like fresh air transforming a closed room

Love that can sit in companionable silence

Love that listens.

God of perfect love, disrupt our callous systems

Change our dismissive hearts

Make us radically respectful and unafraid to feel

Help us to pitch in, work together, and never tire of caring

Help us hear Your voice when you tell us:

Do not be afraid to get involved and be vulnerable

Do not be afraid to make room in your heart for someone new

God, You come close when we cry out for You, saying

“When you are afraid to reach out, I am already holding your hand.”

Amen, may it be so.

CHRIST CANDLE

Leader: As another year ends and begins, we light candles

as an insistence on God’s hope…

People: that hoists colors cheering on the maligned

and isn’t afraid to keep going

Leader: as a prayer for true peace

People: that moves us out of the weeds and out among the trees

and sings like the early morning birds who know the sun will rise

Leader: as a commitment to joy

People: that whoops and hollers and high fives strangers

and isn’t afraid to change the world

Leader: and as a sign of Love’s ultimate reign

People: that converts our anxious energy into concern for others

Love like a meal that multiplies in the sharing

Leader: Tonight, we light the Christ candle as a reminder

of God come close, God with us, and God still at work

People: Child of Hope, help us practice kindness, levity, and gratitude

Leader: Bring peace along every shifting border

People: May all your holy-laughter plans for us and our world come to pass

Leader: Open our hearts like fresh air transforming a closed room

People: Amen, may it be so

This year’s Advent candle readings composed with the input of the candle lighters at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Seattle