As the light on our Advent wreath grows, the scriptures for our Lessons & Carols Service remind us that darkness still lingers in the world and in us. We begin with the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Reminded of the darkness of our own sin, the prophets Micah and Isaiah reiterate our need for a Savior, the Messiah. Generations later, Luke recounts the story of his birth in Jesus of Nazareth, and John poetically proclaims that this “Word made flesh” is “the light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it!” As we prepare our hearts and minds to welcome the Christ child once again, we join in carols that announce: “Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born king!”
The scriptures for this Fourth Sunday of Advent come from throughout the Bible. The nine lessons, although not exactly the same each year, narrate to Christians throughout the world the story of our salvation through the birth of Christ. Songs for this Sunday are #240 “Light One Candle” vs. 1-4, and many beloved Advent hymns and Christmas carols.