RITUAL FOR A HOME ADVENT WREATH

Transcription

1 RITUAL FOR A HOME ADVENT WREATH The Advent wreath is a rich symbol of the time of preparation for the feast and season of Christmas. As each of its four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent, are lit the journey through Advent to Christmas is symbolised: hope, peace, joy, and love. With so much emphasis today on the commercial aspect of Christmas an Advent wreath in the home provides a powerful focus for the whole family. It calls people to reflect on what Christmas is all about. Advent calls God s people to prepare their hearts for the coming again of Jesus at the end of time while also reminding them of the need to welcome him anew in their lives here and now. It proclaims that Christmas is not only about remembering Jesus birth 2000 years. Lighting each candle of the wreath, one per week, when as many members of the family are able to be present is a gentle reminder of the important values which surround Advent and Christmas and provides a significant focal point for prayer. It enables each member of the family to prepare to welcome Jesus again into their lives. This resource has been prepared for families to celebrate in their homes. The prayers are led by the Presider who could be a parent or perhaps shared by different members of the family. The Advent wreath could be in the centre of the dining table or in another suitable place where the family can gather. The ritual could be celebrated at a meal time or prior to retiring for the evening.

2 SUNDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT & BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH. Presider: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, send your blessing upon our wreath and grant that we who gather around it may prepare our hearts for the Coming of Christ, and may receive from you abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Light first purple candle, representing Hope Presider: May the wreath s circle of green leaves which has no beginning and no end, be a sign for us of our place in eternal time and of God s never ending love for us. All: Come Lord Jesus. Presider: As we light these candles each week, may our hearts be stirred with hope and expectations at the coming of Jesus. All: Come Lord Jesus. Presider: May Jesus find us awake and watchful, praying at all times, our lives marked by deeds of love, justice and mercy. All: Come Lord Jesus. Presider: God of integrity and hope, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We make this prayer in this name and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. On each day of the first week the following prayer can be used as the first candle is relit after the family has gathered.

3 Presider: O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Saviour of all peoples, come and dwell among us. Amen. If a meal follows the following prayer may be used as a grace: Presider: Let us offer God praise and thanksgiving: Come, Lord Jesus! All: Come quickly! Presider: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you in this food and in our sharing. Blessed are you as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours All: now and for ever. Amen SUNDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT First candle is already lit as family gathers. Presider: As we gather round our Advent wreath and prepare to light the second candle, representing peace, we pray that nothing may hinder us from receiving Christ with a sense of hope and peace. Presider: Prepare a way for the Lord! All: Make his paths straight!

4 Presider: Let every valley be filled in! All: Let every mountain and hill be laid low! Presider: Straighten the winding pathways, make the rough roads smooth! All: That all people may see the saving power of our God! Second purple candle, presenting peace, is lit. Presider: God of power and mercy, fling wide the doors of our hearts in welcome to the Lord, our Emmanuel. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy and peace so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen On each day of the second week the following prayer can be used as the first two candles are relit after the family has gathered. Presider: King of all nations, Jesus Christ, joy and peace of every heart, come and save your people. Amen. If a meal follows the following prayer may be used as a grace: Presider: Let us offer God praise and thanksgiving: Come, Lord Jesus! All: Come quickly! Presider: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you in this food and in our sharing. Blessed are you as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours

5 All: now and for ever. Amen SUNDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT First two candles are already lit as family gathers. Presider: On this third Sunday of Advent we light on our Advent wreath the rose coloured candle, the candle of rejoicing. Let us pray that God will fill us with a sense of joy, peace and rejoicing as we awaiting the coming of Jesus. Shout for you, all you peoples of the earth! All: The Lord is coming! Presider: Rejoice and exult with all your heart! All: The Lord is very near! Presider: Have no fear, hold firm and take heart. All: Hope in the Lord! Presider: God of eternal rejoicing, you are ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Saviour s coming again and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove any sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy which his coming will bring, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen On each day of the third week the following prayer can be used as the first three candles are relit after the family has gathered.

6 Presider: Key of David, Jesus the Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation. Amen. If a meal follows the following prayer may be used as a grace: Presider: Let us offer God praise and thanksgiving: Come, Lord Jesus! All: Come quickly! Presider: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you in this food and in our sharing. Blessed are you as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours All: now and for ever. Amen SUNDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT First three candles are already lit as family gathers. Presider: As we begin our celebration of the fourth Sunday of Advent let us prepare to light last candle on our Advent wreath, representing love. As Advent draws to a close we pause to pray for faith that opens our lives to the Spirit of God. Come Lord Jesus, hope of the prophets and desire of all nations. All: Come! Lead us back to you. Presider: Come Lord Jesus, Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. All: Come! Take flesh in us.

7 Presider: Come Lord Jesus, source of grace and hope for peace. All: Come and save us, delay no longer. Presider: God, our Emmanuel your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for this coming. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen On each day of the fourth week the following prayer can be used as the four candles are relit after the family has gathered. Presider: O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus the Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation. Amen. If a meal follows the following prayer may be used as a grace: Presider: Let us offer God praise and thanksgiving: Come, Lord Jesus! All: Come quickly! Presider: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you in this food and in our sharing. Blessed are you as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours All: now and for ever. Amen

8 PARISH OF RICHMOND CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES ST MONICA S Cnr Windsor and Bourke Street Richmond Monday 24 December Tuesday 25 December 5:30pm Vigil Mass (Children s Mass) 12:00 Midnight Mass 7:30am and 9:30am ST GREGORY S 5 Old Bells Line of Road Kurrajong Monday 24 December Tuesday 25 December 9:00pm Vigil Mass 8:00am ST JOHN OF GOD CHAPEL 177 Grose Vale Road North Richmond Monday 24 December Tuesday 25 December 8:00pm Vigil Mass No Mass CHRISTMAS RECONCILIATION (2ND RITE) St Monica s, Richmond, Thursday 20 December, 7:30pm