The First Sunday of Advent – Hope

First Sunday of Advent - KristinsCrosses.com

“Advent is the season of the presence and expectation of the eternal. For this very reason, it is in a particular way a period of joy …joy in the fact that God made himself a Child. This joy, invisibly present within us, encourages us to journey on with confidence.”

Pope Benedict XVI


Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles
From A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions

First Week

All powerful God, Increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

____________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 4:3-7

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:3-7

____________________________________________________________________________