Traditional Worship in Advent

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and a time of reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. Our 9 am and 11:15 am traditional worship services will observe Advent in special ways.

A wreath with candles representing each Sunday in Advent is placed next to the altar. We begin our traditional services in the Church with the singing of O Come, O Come Emmanuel and the Lighting of the Advent Wreath. Each Sunday, we welcome one of our young families at each of our services who will light the wreath.

• On Sunday, December 1 we light the first purple candle, representing Hope.
• On Sunday, December 8 we add the lighting of the second purple candle, representing Peace.
• On December 15, the third Sunday of Advent, we also light the pink candle, representing Joy.
• On December 22, the fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the remaining purple candle, representing Love.

Advent at St. John the Divine