Editor’s note: The author of this series is from Hong Kong, and is an author and teacher who serves the mainland Chinese church. Written while she was studying and serving in the United States, it offers a thorough and useful explanation of Advent. It is a good resource for helping Chinese friends, seekers, and young Christians understand many of traditional meanings and symbols they encounter at Christmas, and can help connect them to the historic global church. For other articles in this series on advent, please see the following: Tradition & Faith, Origins & History, Symbolism, Tools for Advent at Home, and Building a Christ-Centered Counter Cultural Celebration. 

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Leader: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
People: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

领：在黑暗中行走的百姓看见了大光。
众：住在死荫之地的人，有光照耀他们。
领：那真光，就是照亮一切生在世上之人的光，来到了世上。生命在他里头，这生命就是人的光。
众：光照在黑暗中，黑暗不能胜过光。

Leader: We light the first Advent candle—the Prophets’ Candle—as a sign of the hope we have in Christ, who has come and will come again.
People: Prepare the way of the Lord!

领：我们现在将点燃第一根望临蜡烛，就是代表“先知”的蜡烛，这蜡烛象征我们在基督里的盼望。基督已经降临人间，并且还要再度来临。
众：预备主的道路！

(Lighting of the Prophets’ Candle)
（亮烛仪式：请点燃第一根代表先知的蜡烛）

Advent scriptural passage 1
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, rand Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ “For thus says the Lord:  David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.” Jeremiah 33:14-18

望临节第一週经文诵读（一）
看哪，耶和华说，日子将到，我应许以色列家和犹大家的恩言必然成就。当那日子，那时候，我必使大卫公义的苗裔长起来；他必在地上施行公平和公义。在那日子犹大必得救，耶路撒冷必安然居住，他的名必称为“耶和华─我们的义。”因为耶和华如此说，大卫必永不断人坐在以色列家的宝座上；祭司、利未人在我面前也不断人献燔祭、烧素祭，时常办理献祭的事。耶利米书三十三章14-18节

Advent scriptural passage 2
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5

望临节第一週经文诵读（二） 
在旷野，有人声喊着说：“当预备耶和华的路，在沙漠地修平我们神的道。一切山洼都要填满，大小山冈都要削平；高高低低的要改为平坦，崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。耶和华的荣耀必然显现；凡有血气的必一同看见；”因为这是耶和华亲口说的。以赛亚书四十章3-5节

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
Israel’s strength and consolation, 
hope of all the earth thou art; 
dear desire of every nation, 
joy of every longing heart. 

Born thy people to deliver, 
born a child and yet a King, 
born to reign in us forever, 
now thy gracious kingdom bring. 
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone; 
by thine all sufficient merit, 
raise us to thy glorious throne. 

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Leader: We light the second Advent candle—the Shepherds’ Candle—as a sign of the love of Christ, who reach down from Heaven for the lowly and the insignificant.  Christ has come and will come again.
People: Prepare the way of the Lord!

领：我们现在将点燃第二根望临蜡烛，就是代表“牧羊人”的蜡烛，这蜡烛象征基督对世人的爱，祂从天降临，接纳、触摸、安慰卑微、被轻看的人。基督已经降临人间，并且还要再度来临。
众：预备主的道路！

(Lightening of the Shepherd’s’ Candle)
(亮烛仪式：请点燃第二根代表牧羊人的蜡烛）

Advent scriptural passage 1
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger.”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” Luke 2:8-12, 15-18

望临节第二週经文诵读（一） 
在伯利恒之野地里有牧羊的人，夜间按着更次看守羊群。有主的使者站在他们旁边，主的荣光四面照着他们；牧羊的人就甚惧怕。那天使对他们说：不要惧怕！我报给你们大喜的信息，是关乎万民的；因今天在大卫的城里，为你们生了救主，就是主基督。你们要看见一个婴孩，包着布，卧在马槽里，那就是记号了。众天使离开他们，升天去了。牧羊的人彼此说：我们往伯利恒去，看看所成的事，就是主所指示我们的。他们急忙去了，就寻见马利亚和约瑟，又有那婴孩卧在马槽里；既然看见，就把天使论这孩子的话传开了。凡听见的，就诧异牧羊之人对他们所说的话。路加福音二章8-5、15-18节

Advent scriptural passage 2
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:1-7

望临节第二週经文诵读（二） 
看哪，我的仆人──我所扶持所拣选、心里所喜悦的！我已将我的灵赐给他；他必将公理传给外邦。他不喧嚷，不扬声，也不使街上听见他的声音。压伤的芦苇，他不折断；将残的灯火，他不吹灭。他凭真实将公理传开。他不灰心，也不丧胆，直到他在地上设立公理；海岛都等候他的训诲。创造诸天，铺张穹苍，将地和地所出的一并铺开，赐气息给地上的众人，又赐灵性给行在其上之人的神耶和华，他如此说：“我──耶和华凭公义召你，必搀扶你的手，保守你，使你作众民的中保，作外邦人的光，开瞎子的眼，领被囚的出牢狱，领坐黑暗的出监牢。”以赛亚书四十二章1-7节

HYMN SINGING

THE FIRST NOEL
The first Noel, the angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading. 

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Leader: We light the third Advent candle—the Angels’ Candle—as a sign of the joy of reconciliation with the Father, which Christ brings us through His sacrifice.  Christ has come and will come again.
People: Prepare the way of the Lord!

领：我们现在将点燃第三根望临蜡烛，就是代表“天使”的蜡烛，这蜡烛象征我们人类透基督的牺牲得以与父上帝和好的喜乐。基督已经降临人间，并且还要再度来临。
众：预备主的道路！

(Lightening of the Angels’ Candle)
(亮烛仪式：请点燃第三根代表天使的蜡烛）

Advent scriptural passage 1
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14

望临节第三週经文诵读（一） 
忽然，有一大队天兵同那天使赞美神说：“在至高之处荣耀归与神！在地上，平安归与喜乐归与人！” 路加福音二章13-14节

Advent scriptural passage 2
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law,  and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. In that day, declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forevermore.” Micah 4:1-7

望临节第三週经文诵读（二） 
末後的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立，超乎诸山，高举过於万岭；万民都要流归这山。必有许多国的民前往，说：“来吧，我们登耶和华的山，奔雅各神的殿。主必将他的道教训我们；我们也要行他的路。”因为训诲必出於锡安；耶和华的言语必出於耶路撒冷。他必在多国的民中施行审判，为远方强盛的国断定是非。他们要将刀打成犁头，把枪打成镰刀。这国不举刀攻击那国；他们也不再学习战事。人人都要坐在自己葡萄树下和无花果树下，无人惊吓。这是万军之耶和华亲口说的。万民各奉己神的名而行；我们却永永远远奉耶和华─我们神的名而行。耶和华说：到那日，我必聚集瘸腿的，招聚被赶出的和我所惩治的。我必使瘸腿的为馀剩之民，使赶到远方的为强盛之民。耶和华要在锡安山作王治理他们，从今直到永远。弥迦书四章1-7节

HYMN SINGING

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Son of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more shall die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn king.

GOOD CHRISTIAN MEN, REJOICE
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born to-day;
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to-day!
Christ is born to-day!

Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath oped the heavenly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Leader: We light the fourth Advent candle—the Wise Men’s Candle—as a sign of the peace that Christ our King gives to the world. Christ has come and will come again.
People: Prepare the way of the Lord.

领：我们现在将点燃第四根望临蜡烛，就是代表“东方来朝博士”的蜡烛，这蜡烛象征我们的大君王，基督，为世人带来的平安、为世界带来的和平。基督已经降临人间，并且还要再度来临。
众：预备主的道路！

(Lighting of the Wise Men’s Candle)
(亮烛仪式：请点燃第四根代表东方来朝之博士的蜡烛）

Advent scriptural passage 1
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:3

望临节第四週经文诵读（一） 
万国要在你的光中行走，列王必在你如旭日初升的光辉中行走。以赛亚书六十章3节

Advent scriptural passage 2
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 

‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”  After listening to the king, they went on their way.  And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:1-11

望临节第四週经文诵读（二）
当希律王的时候，耶稣生在犹太的伯利恒。有几个博士从东方来到耶路撒冷，说：“那生下来作犹太人之王的在那里？我们在东方看见他的星，特来拜他。”希律王听见了，就心里不安；耶路撒冷合城的人也都不安。他就召齐了祭司长和民间的文士，问他们说：“基督当生在何处？”他们回答说：“在犹太的伯利恒。因为有先知记着，说：

犹大地的伯利恒阿，你在犹大诸城中并不是最小的；因为将来有一位君王要从你那里出来，牧养我以色列民。

当下，希律暗暗的召了博士来，细问那星是甚麽时候出现的，就差他们往伯利恒去，说：“你们去仔细寻访那小孩子，寻到了，就来报信，我也好去拜他。”他们听见王的话就去了。在东方所看见的那星忽然在他们前头行，直行到小孩子的地方，就在上头停住了。他们看见那星，就大大的欢喜；进了房子，看见小孩子和他母亲马利亚，就俯伏拜那小孩子，揭开宝盒，拿黄金、乳香、没药为礼物献给他。马太福音二章1-11节

HYMN SINGING

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Myrrh is mine: it’s bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light

LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENT
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, 
and with fear and trembling stand; 
ponder nothing earthly-minded, 
for with blessing in his hand, 
Christ our God to earth descendeth, 
our full homage to demand. 

King of kings, yet born of Mary, 
as of old on earth he stood, 
Lord of lords, in human vesture, 
in the body and the blood; 
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food. 

At his feet the six-winged seraph, 
cherubim, with sleepless eye, 
veil their faces to the presence, 
as with ceaseless voice they cry: 
Alleluia, Alleluia, 
Alleluia, Lord Most High! 

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.