ADVENT SERIES
“Light in the Darkness: The Dawn of Christ”
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Across all four Sundays of Advent, the readings portray a world waiting for light:
 The light of God’s future (Isaiah 2)
 The light of God’s peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11)
 The light that breaks into wilderness places (Isaiah 35)
 The light of Emmanuel who draws near (Isaiah 7, Matthew 1)

And on Christmas Eve, Isaiah 9 proclaims the light has fully arrived:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

❖ First Sunday of Advent — “The Light of Hope”
Texts: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44
The light of Christ’s coming awakens us to live differently—alert, hopeful, expectant.

❖ Second Sunday of Advent — “The Light of Peace”
Texts: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
The Messiah’s peace transforms lives, reconciles relationships, and prepares the world for
Christ.

❖ Third Sunday of Advent — “The Light of Love”
Texts: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:46b-55 or James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
God’s love breaks into the barren places of our lives and restores us with overflowing
grace.

❖ Fourth Sunday of Advent — “The Light of Joy”
Texts: Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
Joy is born when we discover that God comes close—nearer than our fear, our confusion,
our questions.

❖ Christmas Eve — “The Light Has Come”
Texts: Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Jesus Christ is the Light the darkness can never overcome—the fulfillment of every Advent
longing.