It was a welcome sight to see the candle lit in the Advent wreath at church this morning, and it felt like welcoming an old friend home when we got out our family Advent wreath and lit the first candle after dinner tonight. I love this season of watching and waiting, of preparation and anticipation.

Here are a few verses from one of my favorite Advent hymns:

“Savior of the nations, come,
Virgin’s Son, make here Your home!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

God the Father was His source,
Back to God He ran His course.
Into hell His road went down,
Back then to His throne and crown.

Glory to the Father sing,
Glory to the Son, our king,
Glory to the Spirit be
Now and through eternity.” Lutheran Service Book #332