Prayer

Advent Sunday 30 November – Wednesday 24 December

This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Advent and the start of a new liturgical year in the Church—Year A, when we journey closely with the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel continually invites us to stay awake, to notice God’s presence, and to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming.

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming.” In this sacred season, we reflect on two profound “comings”:

• Christ’s birth at Christmas, and

• His promised return at the end of time.

Advent calls us to pause, pray, and remember the central place of Christ in our lives. It is a time of both joyful expectation and spiritual preparation.

Over these four weeks, we look back with gratitude to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and we look forward with hope to His second coming. We invite you to gather as a family and pray together as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas.

Let us pray,

Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, 

is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. 

Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. 

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. 

Help us to always trust in you. 

Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. 

Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. 

Amen.