Prayer
Advent 2019
Advent is the four week period of preparation for the season of Christmas. This Sunday, the season of Advent begins. Advent is a time for us to prepare for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas day. The word Advent comes from the Latin word advenio, which means "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. We are called to come to the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. Advent begins the cycle of the Liturgical Year and focuses on the coming of the Lord. The first weeks offer a vision of the future, looking to the end of time when Christ will come again. The final weeks point more specifically to the birth of Christ. Christ, the promised one, is awaited with joyful expectation.
The Advent Wreath
One of the major symbols of the Advent season is the wreath. The encircling wreath is symbolic of God without beginning or end and the green foliage represents our hope in God. There are five candles in the wreath, a central white candle representing the light of Christ that came into the world. Three of the outside candles are purple because the colour purple is a liturgical colour that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The rose coloured candle is a liturgical colour for joy.
The first candle, which is purple, symbolises hope. It is often called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
The third candle is rose/pink and symbolises joy. It is called the “Shephard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose it is a liturgical colour for joy and is meant to remind us of the joy that is anticipated in the world experienced at the birth of Jesus.
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Saviour. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
The progressive lighting of the candles marks the journey towards the Nativity.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come and visit your people.
We await your coming. Come, O Lord.
Rain
Dear Lord,
We thank you for the rain you have sent us in recent days. We ask for more rain and an end to fires, not only here but in other parts of the country that need rain so badly and are affected by fires.
Amen
Catherine McAuley founder of the Sisters of Mercy Quote of the Day
God never refuses His grace to those who ask it. Catherine McAuley
St Patrick's Church Walcha
Weekend Mass Time: Sunday - 10am
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CHRISTMAS DAY MASS TIME
8am St Patrick's Church