“Enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit…”

Praying at Home with the Advent Wreath

Many Christian households place an Advent wreath in the home during the season of Advent. Lighting the candles is an important tradition. Going a step further, praying around the Advent wreath, can deepen spirituality and bind the household together in new ways. Below are four options for Advent wreath prayers for the home.

1. Advent Prayers for a Household by PJ Hobbs

In two pages, PJ Hobbs offers encouragement, ideas, prayers, discussion questions, scripture quotes, and short Advent liturgies to use at home. This brilliant resource is an opportunity for households to set aside time, be together, pray together, and strengthen one another during Advent.

Advent Prayers for a Household – Free PDF

2. Prayers For The Advent Wreath

Te following four prayers, while not specifically written for Advent, are perfect for lighting the Advent wreath at home. These come from “An Order of Worship for the Evening” in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as
daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we
implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with
the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts
the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it
may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and
that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City,
where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the
evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have
made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of
our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be
the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever
and ever. Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy
great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this
night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

3. Scripture Verses For The Advent Wreath

Consider saying a Bible verse before you light the Advent wreath. Here are two options:

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light
around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O
Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to
you are both alike.    Psalm 139:10-11

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a
hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp to put it under a
bucket, but on a lamp-stand where it gives light for everyone
in the house. And you, like the lamp, must shed light among
your fellow men, so that they may see the deed you do, and
give glory to your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

4. O Gracious Light (Phos Hilaron)

This ancient text (3rd or 4th century) is often sung by choirs. Your household could use it as a spoken prayer.

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.