| FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT BEGINS NOVEMBER 27TH CANDLE MYSTERIES JOY, HOPE, EXPECTATION AND LOVE. FIRST CANDLE — JOY. With this flame we signify the GRACE of God that surrounds and fills us at all times. SECOND CANDLE - HOPE we recognize in a special way the Christmas story. THIRD CANDLE - EXPECTATION There is no greater power than HIS PROMISE. TO CARRY US THROUGH ALL grief or despair, AND THAT even death WILL NOT HARM US. FOURTH CANDLE - LOVE We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US. (Optional: sing one verse of "O Come, O come Emmanuel") Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. Show us the creative power of JOY. Teach us the peace that comes from HOPE. Fill us with the kind of LOVE that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Magnify your EXPECTATION within us. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen. We will seek God, not in a long ago stable or ancient manger, But in the people we meet and the depths of our own hearts. May the blessing of Christmas make US a blessing to others; May the LOVE of the season pervade all that WE do. We ARE ALERT AS WE AWAIT THE COMING OF OUR LORD. WE welcome the challenge of TRUE discipleship. BEING LOVED AND SENT, We will go forth in JOY, HOPE, EXPECTATION AND LOVE. |
| WEEK 2 HERE HOPE |
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2011-2012 WAITING IN JOY, HOPE, EXPECTATION AND LOVE !
| WEEK 3 HERE EXPECTATION |
| WEEK 4 HERE LOVE |
Hope is the Theological Virtue by which we desire eternal life, relying not on our own strength; but, by the Love and Mercy of God’s Benevolence and Providence. . |
| WEEK 1 HERE JOY |
REFLECTIONS, COURTESY OF: |
