Advent Wreath Prayer for Each Lighting Jc 2014 (1)
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Transcript of Advent Wreath Prayer for Each Lighting Jc 2014 (1)
Advent
We await
Christ’s
coming
• We are now in the season of Advent – the time which leads us up to Christmas with its Christmas trees, cards, the holly and the ivy, the mistletoe, parties and presents. Lots of symbols of love and peace.
• Advent has its own symbol – the Advent Wreath. Each part of the wreath means something.
The ring, as all rings, has no beginning and no end.
The same can be said of God’s love for the world and for us.
Leaves like holly, pine or fir
are used because they come
from the only trees that do not
lose their leaves in winter.
They are evergreen: they go
on and on.
God is evergreen –
he is eternal and he will
give us eternal life.
His love goes on and on.
The purple ribbon is a call to repent.
It reminds us to say sorry for the things that we have done wrong.
To the wreath we add our candles:
Four coloured candles remind
us of the four weeks of Advent
– the four weeks we have to
wait for the birth of Jesus; a
reminder too of the years that
the world waited for him.
The three purple candles tell us that we should prepare for
the coming by purifying ourselves, repenting of our wrong-
doing.
And the pink one reminds us of the joy
that will be ours if we do this – just
as the Third Sunday of Advent, called
Gaudete or Joyful Sunday, reminds us
that our penance will soon turn to joy.
The white candle is lit on Christmas Day and it reminds us
that Christ is the light of the world.
The word Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin.
• The wreath helps us to think about how we prepare for Christmas. It is a time of waiting when we think about the real meaning of Christmas – the Birth of Christ who came to save us.
• When we talk about being ready for Christmas we are often thinking about buying presents, decorating the Christmas tree or writing cards.
But there are other ways of being ready for Christmas…
• Have we said sorry for the times that we have done things wrong?
• Have we made up with friends that we have fallen out with?
• Have we thought about the way that we might have hurt other people?
• Have we done something special for someone else?
THE FIRST CANDLE – the candle of hope
God of hope,
As we light the first candle in preparation for the celebration of the birth of your Son, inspire us in our fundraising efforts. May we be beacons of hope for all those who need our support.
Amen
THE SECOND CANDLE – the candle of peace
God of peace,
In this world of conflict help me to see how I can be a peace-maker in my own community, at home and in school. Help me to spread the peace of Christ throughout the world.
Amen
THE THIRD CANDLE – the candle of joy
God of joy,
May we be thankful for the joys that Christmas brings. Help us not to forget the true meaning of Christmas as we await the celebration of your birth.
Amen
THE FOURTH CANDLE – the candle of love
God of love,Open our hearts as we await your coming,that the fire of your love may burn within us giving us courage to reach out to others and support them when they are in need.
Amen
Lord,
You came to us as a tiny, fragile baby, yet we know that you are God and you are with us. May the flame of this candle remind us that you are the light of the world and that if we follow you, we will never walk in darkness but we will have the true light of life.
Amen
THE LAST CANDLE – the birth of Christ