If you have a moment today, and can safely take the opportunity to sit before a lit candle, watch its flickering flame.
Be aware of the stillness, the quiet, your surroundings. When you feel ready read the following words:
The candle burns, a sign of hope.
God of Hope,
come to us again this Advent.
May your hope live within us,
burning as a light in our lives.
The candle burns, a sign of your Word.
God of the prophets,
come to us again this Advent.
May your word be a lamp to our feet,
and a light on our path.
The candle burns, a sign of our faith.
God, in the coming of your Son,
come to us again this Advent.
May we have a faith that renews our lives.
May we live in the light of your promises.
The candle burns, a sign of your love.
God of Mary,
come again to us this Advent.
May the light of your love,
be born anew in us.
The candle burns, a sign of your presence.
God amongst us,
born as one of us,
May we live in the light of your presence,
The light who gives life to all.
Pause for a moment and invite God into the experience of your life right now, whatever you are going through God is there for you. If it helps write a little list of things or have a think back to situations and circumstances where you have felt or needed the presence of God.
Prayer
Hope and Word, Faith and Love, signs of your presence, Lord be with us today.
Be with those whose lives are without love, hope and joy.
The rejected ones, the forgotten ones, the ones cast aside……
Lord we lift to you the people who share our lives,
those who care, those who love,
those who encourage us upon our journey.
Amen.
Peter Thomas