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Prayer for Lighting the Advent Wreath

Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal—one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25^th. The rose candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. As the candles are lighted, a prayer may be said.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE

First Week

O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation,

Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.

' - Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday in which we recall the hope we have in Christ. The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a saviour would be born, a king in the line of David. They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.

' - On Christmas day the Christ of our hope was born. On Good Friday the Christ of our hope died. On Easter day the Christ of our hope rose from the dead. He then ascended into heaven. On the last day, the Christ of our hope will come again to establish his kingdom over all things on earth.

' - As the follower of Christ, we await his return. We light this candle to remember that as he came to us as humbly in the manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so he is coming again in power to deliver his people.

' - We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for His return. Light the Advent candle one,

Now the waiting has begun We have started on our way, time to think of Christmas Day.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. Bless our worship. Help us live holy and righteous lives. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem . Amen.

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PEACE

Second Week

O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart,

come and save your people.

'' - Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent Wreath, the candle of hope. We light it again as we remember that Christ will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us.

(a person lights the candle of hope)

'' - The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. It is sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle to remind us of the place in which preparations were made to receive and cradle the Christ child.

'' - Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to him in faith.

'' - The prophet Isaiah calls Christ “the Prince of Peace.” Through John the Baptist and all the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts so that he may come in.

'' - Our hope is in God, and in his son Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in him. We light this candle today to remind us that he brings peace to all who trust in him. Light the Advent Candle Two,

Think of humble shepherds who Filled with wonder at the sight, of the child on Christmas night.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

'' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us through Jesus. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Guide us in all that we say and do. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem . Amen.

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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: - JOY

Third Week

O Key of David, Jesus Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command,

come and show us the way to salvation.

''' - Last Sunday the candle of peace was lit. We light it and the candle of hope again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring to the world everlasting peace.

(a person lights the candles of hope, and peace.)

''' - The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told he that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver his people.

''' - God wants us all to have joy. The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all people - for to you is born this day, in the City of David , a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

''' - We light this candle to remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life - a life in which the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free. We light it to remember that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy. Light the Advent Candle Three,

Think of heavenly harmony Angels blessing, “Peace on Earth”, at the blessed Saviour’s birth.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.

Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

''' - LET US PRAY - Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for this gift. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and to do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem . Amen.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LOVE

Fourth Week

O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands,

come and show us the way to salvation.

'''' - Last Sunday we lit the candle of joy. We light it and the candles of hope and peace again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting peace and joy.

(a person lights the candles of hope, peace, and joy)

'''' - The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love. It’s light is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us. Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s love in human form. The bible says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

'''' - Love is patient, love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take offense, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people’s troubles, but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.

'''' - We light this candle today to remind us of how God’s perfect love is found in Jesus Light the Advent Candle Four,

Think of joy forevermore Christ child in a stable born, gift of love that Christmas morn.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night. Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

'''' - LET US PRAY Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - show to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem . Amen

copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild

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Scholarship Basketball Festival

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children has announced that tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Scholarship Basketball Festival, a high school boys basketball tripleheader scheduled for Sunday afternoon, January 4, 2004 at Yanitelli Center, St. Peter’s College, Jersey City.  The game match-ups are: St. Anthony’s vs. CBA, St. Patrick’s vs. Seton Hall Prep and St. Benedict’s Prep vs. Hudson Catholic.  Advance purchase tickets are available at $9 Adult and $5 Student through www.basketballfestival.com  or by calling the Scholarship Fund office in Newark at 973-497-4279.  Proceeds will benefit the Fund’s programs, which help low-income families with tuition assistance for parochial schools in the Archdiocese of Newark’s inner-city communities.

Candlelight Carol Sing

The 33rd annual Candlelight Carol Sing will be held at the Cathedral Basilica on Thursday, December 18th at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.  Christmas music sung by the Cathedral Choir and Assembly will be accompanied by the great Cathedral organs and chamber orchestra.  Free-will donation.  For more information, call 973-484-2400.