Winterizing a car includes checking: the ignition, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, battery, lights, tires, heater, brakes, wipers, defroster and oil. Before a winter storm hits your area, fill up your car’s gas tank. A car survival kit consists of: flashlight, windshield scraper, paper towels, extra clothes, blankets, matches and candles, booster cables, a compass, maps, sand, chains and high calorie non-perishable food. Defensive Driving and Travel smart! Pump your breaks to stop on ice or snow. Plan your trip and let someone know your travel plans, route and estimated arrival time. Do NOT leave your car unless you see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Once a storm is over, you may need to leave the car to get help. Follow the road if possible. If you need to walk across open country, orient your route toward distant landmarks to maintain your sense of direction.
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Opening Prayer and Lighting of Candles
[light the four candles]
God of wonders, we worship You. We know that You are here with us as we focus our hearts and minds on the miracle of Christ’s birth. What a wondrous season this is when its true meaning is celebrated! Thank You for Your amazing love for us. We surrender our hearts here in worship. You alone deserve our praise.

Songs of Worship
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
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[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer and Lighting of First and Second Candle
[light the first three candles]
With settled hearts and minds we bow in worship. You, Oh God, are more than worthy of our highest praise. Thank You for the faithfulness You’ve shown Your people since the beginning of time. You are good and Your mercy endures forever! It reaches from the highest heavens to our lowly hearts, constantly. We need You more than ever, Lord. Our whole world has never been more hungry for salvation. And here You are!
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[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer and Lighting of First and Second Candle
[light the first and second candle]
Father, we take this time to pause and consider how good and faithful You are. We acknowledge and thank You for the moments You have given us to spend here on earth together. Your loving-kindness sustains us. We apologize for the ways in which we violate Your commandments of love and squander precious moments of this life. Thank You for Your mercy. Fill us with Your peace. Our souls’ joy is found in You. Open our hearts to listen to what You have to say to us in this Advent time. Amen.
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[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer and Lighting of First Candle
[light the first candle]
Lord God, we open our hearts to You. We remember that the first candle represents the hope that we have in You, the light of the world. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Oh God. You are long-suffering and full of loving-kindness. We are the recipients of that love even when we are the least deserving of any of it. We are humbled in Your Presence. We worship You in spirit and in truth and know that we will be changed for the better for the time we spend in Your company. Forgive us. Fill us with Your Spirit. Draw us close to You now.
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• Set your own personal card message or pick from a number of well-crafted phrases
• Use the inside front cover for your Christmas letter (we’ve written over four paragraphs before)

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[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer
Lord God, Creator of all of heaven and earth, we gather in Your holy Presence during this sacred season to remember and celebrate the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus. Open our hearts to hear Your voice of love and truth so that this time spent in Your presence will make us better examples of Your love in this world.
Forgive us of every sin so we can worship you with clean hearts. We set our hearts to worship You now. In Your holy Name we pray.
Amen.
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An Advent wreath can be as simple or as elegant as you desire. Traditionally there are four candles for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas plus a candle for Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day). If you want to purchase one, you can choose between modern or traditional. Here are a few places to get you started on your search:


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One very special way our family celebrates the Christmas season is to have “Advent time” together in our home. Advent is a season where believers in Jesus Christ remember His arrival on earth as a baby in Bethlehem and ready our hearts for His return to earth as the Lord of all. Some of our favorite family memories were born during these sacred, and dare I say, silly moments huddled around our fireplace, reading from the Bible by candle light.

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