Tue, Dec 1
All day
Advent 2026 · Begins Sunday, November 29
Prepare Him room
Advent means arrival. For four Sundays before Christmas the church remembers the first coming of Jesus and looks ahead to his return. Build a wreath with your family and gather around it each week.
A rhythm for your home
Read a chapter early in the week. Gather around the wreath on Sunday evening. Let the questions run as long as the conversation stays good.
Each week of the family guide offers a short reading, questions for the table, an activity, and a candle lighting for your Advent wreath. Use the blank pages for notes, prayers, and the things your children say that you will want to remember.
The guide is not meant to be done alone. Work through it with your missional community, a few neighbors, or another family on your street.
Build your wreath together
A wreath is a simple way for a family to prepare for Christmas together. Make one that is special to your household.
The wreath, a circle of evergreen branches, symbolizes eternity and unending love. Five candles sit on it. One is lit each Sunday of Advent, and the last is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
Hopepurple
Peacepurple
Joypink
Lovepurple
Christwhite
Purple is the primary color of Advent. It symbolizes repentance and fasting, and it is the color of royalty, pointing to the King of Kings. On the third Sunday a pink candle marks joy, a shift from preparation toward celebration. The white Christ candle comes last. Christ is the sinless and pure Savior, the light who comes into a dark world.
What you will need
- An evergreen wreath, fresh or artificial
- Three purple candles and one pink candle
- One white candle for the center
- Five candle stands, with the center stand for the white candle
- A Bible, the family guide, and a long lighter
Week one Build your wreath together. Let each person place a branch or a candle. Talk about what it means to wait for something you cannot yet see.
Five candles, four weeks
Gather around the wreath each Sunday evening. Open a week for what to say, a prayer, and questions for the table.
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I
HopeThe candle of expectation · purple
Read Jeremiah 33:14–16 · Romans 8:24–25
Light Light the first candle (purple), the candle of hope and expectation.
Say
“Today we light the candle of expectation and hope. We are reminded that God has made a great promise to us. We remember his first coming and look forward to when he comes again.”
Pray
Father, during the Advent season may we be reminded of your great promises and your faithfulness. Help us prepare for your coming and revealing in our lives this season. Help us look forward to when you come again and make all things new. Amen.
Around the table
- What expectations do you have this Christmas season? What are your plans and your hopes?
- How is Jesus your hope and your answer this Christmas?
- Ask someone in your family to pray for Christ’s second coming.
This week Build your wreath together. Let each person place a branch or a candle. Talk about what it means to wait for something you cannot yet see.
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II
PeaceThe candle of preparation · purple
Read Isaiah 40:3–5 · Acts 3:19–26
Light Relight the first candle, then light the second (both purple).
Say
“This Sunday we relight the candle of hope and expectation. Let it remind us that we have great hope in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and in the promises of God. Now, as we light the candle of preparation and peace, let it remind us to prepare our hearts through repentance for the coming of Jesus.”
Pray
Father, guide us in the confession of our sins. We know that because of your Son and the love you have shown us, you are faithful to forgive our sins. Cleanse our hearts and prepare our lives for the coming of Christ. Amen.
Around the table
- What are some things of which you need to repent? Is there someone you can talk to or confess to? What would that look like?
- Do you long for the Advent, the coming, of Christ in your life?
- How can your family prepare for the coming of Jesus this holiday season?
This week Do a craft together with the kids, if you are feeling patient. Ask them to name every step of preparation along the way. It is a fun way to introduce the idea of preparing for Jesus.
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III
JoyThe candle of rejoicing · pink
Read Zephaniah 3:14–17 · Luke 2:8–14
Light Relight the first and second candles (purple), then light the third (pink).
Say
“This Sunday we relight the candle of hope and expectation. Let it remind us that we have great hope in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and in the promises of God. We relight the candle of preparation and peace. Let it remind us to prepare our hearts through repentance for the coming of Jesus. Finally, we light the third candle of our Advent wreath. Its color is pink, the color of joy. It reminds us of the joy we will share as we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.”
Pray
Father, we pray for joy, that we might grow in seeing and savoring Jesus Christ. Fill us with the joy of Christ this season, and let it grow in the hearts of those in our community and the world. Amen.
Around the table
- What are some things in your life that bring joy?
- How can we as a family see and savor the beauty of Christ this season and experience joy regardless of circumstances?
- Is there a way we can give ourselves to serve others in pursuit of joy?
This week Have some fun as a family or with friends. Choose an activity that requires no money, only creativity and time together. We strongly recommend Christmas karaoke.
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IV
LoveThe candle of presence · purple
Read Matthew 22:36–40
Light Relight the first, second, and third candles, then light the fourth (purple).
Say
“This Sunday we relight the candle of hope and expectation. Let it remind us that we have great hope in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and in the promises of God. We relight the candle of preparation and peace. Let it remind us to prepare our hearts through repentance for the coming of Jesus. We relight the third candle, the candle of joy. It reminds us of the joy we will share as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Finally, we light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath, the candle of love. We love because he first loved us.”
Pray
Father, we thank you for your deep love for us and for showing that love by coming to dwell among us and dying in our place. We pray that we would love our neighbors sacrificially and carry your presence with us to the ends of the earth. Amen.
Around the table
- Do you view Jesus’ coming as a means to the good life, as though he came to give good presents? Or do you believe he has come to give his presence?
- How have you enjoyed the presence of God this Advent season?
- How can we live and practice the incarnation in our community and neighborhood?
This week Do something creative for a neighbor that meets a need they might have. Invite them to dinner, cook them a meal as a gift, or serve them in a practical way. Practice loving well.
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V
ChristThe Christ candle · white
Read Luke 1:26–38 · Luke 2:1–21
Light Relight the four candles of Advent, then light the Christ candle (white) in the center.
Say
“This Christmas we relight the candle of hope and expectation. Let it remind us that we have great hope in Jesus Christ the Messiah and in the promises of God. We relight the candle of preparation and peace. Let it remind us to prepare our hearts through repentance for the coming of Jesus. We relight the candle of joy, which reminds us of the joy we share in celebrating the birth of Jesus. We relight the candle of love. We love because he first loved us. And finally we light the Christ candle. We celebrate the light of the world, who has come to push back the darkness and win the war on sin and death.”
Pray
We have been waiting for this day, loving God. We have prepared ourselves for it. On this Christmas Day, let us live as those who let hope, peace, joy, and love reign in our lives. As the candles burn brightly and light our path, let us live as those who have Christ’s light burning inside us today and every day. Amen.
Around the table
- Why must the Redeemer be truly God? That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective. (New City Catechism, Question 23)
- Why must the Redeemer be truly human? That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin. (New City Catechism, Question 22)
- Is Jesus enough for you this Advent season? Have you experienced his true and real presence?
This week Talk about Jesus together as a family. If the kids are old enough, watch The Nativity Story together. It may be a little intense for young ones.
Sundays in Advent
One family lights the wreath
On Sundays we keep preaching through Philippians, and each week a different family lights the Advent candles in the service. The family guide is for your home and your missional community through the week.
December
Christmas at Agape
Sun, Dec 13
Main Post Chapel
Agape Kids Christmas Program
Thu, Dec 24
Main Post Chapel
Fort Hood Christmas Eve Service
Romans 11:36