Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” In the season of Advent we look forward to the celebration of the first coming of Jesus, our Messiah. We also remember that we are anticipating His second coming.

We remember how the world was in darkness, until the Light of the World came into it on that first Christmas day. As Christmas approaches, we see how the light increases on the Advent wreath, until Christmas day when the Light of the world has come. In the season of Advent we remember the ancient expectation with which people waited for the Messiah, and we prepare our hearts, renew our desire, for His Second coming.

We encourage you to read these at home and ponder them further, talk about them in your family, and pray through how the Lord would want to prepare your heart in this season of Advent.

Angel’s Candle of Peace

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven— praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Esa noche había unos pastores en los campos cercanos, que estaban cuidando sus rebaños de ovejas. De repente, apareció entre ellos un ángel del Señor, y el resplandor de la gloria del Señor los rodeó.

Los pastores estaban aterrados, pero el ángel los tranquilizó. «No tengan miedo — dijo—. Les traigo buenas noticias que darán gran alegría a toda la gente. ¡El Salvador — sí, el Mesías, el Señor— ha nacido hoy en Belén, la ciudad de David! Y lo reconocerán por la siguiente señal: encontrarán a un niño envuelto en tiras de tela, acostado en un pesebre».

De pronto, se unió a ese ángel una inmensa multitud —los ejércitos celestiales— que alababan a Dios y decían:

«Gloria a Dios en el cielo más alto y paz en la tierra para aquellos en quienes Dios se complace».

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Pues nos ha nacido un niño, un hijo se nos ha dado;

el gobierno descansará sobre sus hombros, y será llamado: Consejero Maravilloso, Dios Poderoso, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz.

Su gobierno y la paz nunca tendrán fin.

Reinará con imparcialidad y justicia desde el trono de su antepasado David por toda la eternidad.

¡El ferviente compromiso del SEÑOR de los Ejércitos Celestiales hará que esto suceda!

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

»Les dejo un regalo: paz en la mente y en el corazón. Y la paz que yo doy es un regalo que el mundo no puede dar. Así que no se angustien ni tengan miedo.