December 2025 (Four Themes of Advent – Hope, Peace, Love, Joy!)

Bible passages: Luke 1:14-17

“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Reflections:

What is Advent? Advent is a four-week season in our Church calendar dedicated to the anticipation of the arrival, or “advent”, of Jesus of Nazareth, the long awaited Messiah and King. Christians all over the world celebrate this season with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy.

Hope, peace, love, and joy are the 4 themes of Advent. Each one is represented by the

Advent Candles:

Hope – First Sunday (The Prophecy Candle)

Peace – Second Sunday (The Bethlehem Candle)

Joy – Third Sunday (The Shepherd’s Candle)

Love – Fourth Sunday (The Angel’s Candle)

During Advent we are encouraged to share hope, peace, joy and love not only to those close to us but to those who are in need of our support, prayers and encouragement.

Discussion Questions:

In what ways do you observe the Advent Season?

In the midst of your busyness of buying Christmas gifts and worrying what to prepare for Christmas, do you also spend time in reflecting for the coming of the Messiah and King?

In the midst of all the busyness, chaos and confusions, do you feel the sense of hope, peace, joy, and love that the birth of our Saviour will bring into your life?

Let us pray:

Dear Father, we believe. We pray that may this time of Advent be a time of hope, peace, love and joy for us. Thank you for sending Jesus at Christmas to give us the hope that the world can be a better place. Please help us to play our part in bringing hope, peace, love and joy to the world. Help us to see You in the face of others especially those who are most in need and may we give generously from the bottom of our heart. This we ask in Jesus name, the Messiah and our King.

Amen!