Advent: Sunday

Here is a liturgy for the first candle:

Today we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. This is the candle of HOPE.
With Christians around the world, we use this light to help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God's Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May we receive God's light as we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah:

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined."-- Isaiah 9:2

Let us pray:Lord as we look to the birth of Jesus, grant that the light of your love for us will help us to become lights in the lives of those around us. Prepare our hearts for the joy and gladness of your coming, for Jesus is our hope. Amen

Advent

The catholic liturgy is one of the most beautiful traditions of our faith. Tara bought me a catholic prayer book last year and it has been a blessing. Sunday, November 30th is the first Sunday of Advent and below is a link to an amazing site that will walk you through the mass each day of Advent. Praying the hours sets a rhythm for the day, it gives you direction, and centers you when the day is crumbling around you.



Henri J.M. Nouwen says of prayer:


The invitation to a life of prayer is the invitation to live in the midst of this world without being caught in the net of wounds and needs. The word 'prayer' stands for a radical interruption of the vicious chain of interlocking dependencies leading to violence and war and for an entering into a totally new dwelling place. It points to a new way of speaking, a new way of breathing, a new way of being together, a new way of knowing, yes, a whole new way of living.

-Prayer and Peacemaking


God willing, this Christmas season will be one of renewal and a new found faithfulness.



http://www.universalis.com/-500/today.htm