PRIEST: My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This third Sunday of Advent is a day for rejoicing…rejoicing that the coming of our Saviour is close at hand; rejoicing that we are called to work joyfully for the Great Day of the Lord, when all creation will ring with the Glory of God; rejoicing that we hear the call to conversion, and wish to respond, rejoicing in the endless mercy of the Father that Jesus brings.
Let us now sing with joy as we witness the Light of Christ growing in our midst…
[ proceed to wreath, singing – Rejoice in the Lord always! ]
Let us pray…
O God, Mother and Father of all that lives, come among us and dance over us with your joy, as on a day of Festival! Fill our community with that rejoicing that comes from welcoming your Light, Jesus Christ, and sharing that light with one another in the household of faith and with all the world. Bless this Advent Wreath and our parish so that we may hasten the day when your Son, our Brother, will fill all creation with joyous Glory…
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER + AND OF THE SON,
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…AMEN!
READER:
Lord, for all the darkness that is in our lives, and in our world: a darkness that deprives our earth of your joy; we ask your mercy
LORD HAVE MERCY
Lord, for the darkness of violence and war, for the darkness of hunger and poverty, for the darkness of greed and luxury; we ask your mercy
CHRIST HAVE MERCY
Lord, because of the joy you have in forgiving us, because you come among us bearing the light of healing and reconciliation; with confidence we ask your mercy
LORD HAVE MERCY
PRIEST: Lord, stir up your might and come! Clothe us in your joyous Light,
renew our hearts in your compassion and forgiveness,
and bring us all to your Day of unending Light,
that we may live for ever and ever…
AMEN!