ADVENT SERVICE
Today we begin the celebration of Advent, four weeks during which we remember the coming of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, to earth. We turn our minds and hearts towards heaven, our ultimate destination which our Saviour has won for us. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and was incarnated to the world as a tiny Babe within the Virgin Mary. This wondrous fact calls on us to change our hearts, change sinful lifestyles, and be at peace. Turn towards God, repent past misdeeds, clean out your mental and spiritual house and prepare yourself for heaven. We never know when our last Advent upon this earth will be: make sure your soul is ready to stand before God at personal Judgement, having tried your best. God asks no more.
If you have sin on your soul, go to confession to a priest of integrity. If you are unable to do so, why not visit the Repentance Chapel?
Repentance Chapel is available at https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html
If you wish to give your life to Our Lord Jesus Christ, visit the Chapel at the following link
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html
Opening Hymn: O come, o come, Emmanuel
Verse 1: O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Verse 2: O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
and give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.
Advent wreath: Have a wreath in your home, if possible, This is a circle of greenery, with four candles - three purple, one pink - in memory of the four Sundays of Advent prior to the glorious Feast of Christmas. The purple candles denote hope, preparation through penance and purification, and love. The rose pink candle denotes hope. Some traditions add a white candle for purity, regeneration, godliness, light and victory.
The celebrant now lights the first candle - a purple one, while praying:
Opening prayer: "Lord God, let Your Blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May He come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen."
First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 : The Sign of Immanuel: A young woman who is pregnant will have a Son and will name Him Immanuel"
"Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask a sign of the Lord your GOD; let is be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." And He said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my GOD also? Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.
Second Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 : The Branch from Jesse: "The Spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom"
A shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him -
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD -
and He will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what He sees with His Eyes,
or decide by what He hears with His Ears;
but with righteousness He will judge the needy,
with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of His Mouth;
with the breath of His Lips He will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be His belt
and faithfulness the sash around His Waist.
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little Child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra's den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all My Holy Mountain.
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.
Intercessions;
Celebrant: Let us pray that we may prepare a way so that Christ our Saviour may come into our lives and into the world this Christmas.
(Pause for silent prayer)
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us pray for all who profess with their lips their love of Christ and of their fellows, but who deny both in their actions.
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us pray for all governments and rulers, that they may always serve the interests of justice and peace, and that they may always protect the weak and the poor.
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us pray for the aged, prisoners, those detained, the sick and the lonely - that Christ will make Himself present to them in a very special way this Christmas. Let us pray:
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us pray for all victims of injustice and oppression: we pray especially for an end to all injustice in every country. Let us pray:
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us pray that we sincerely may try to cleanse our lives of greed in all its shapes and forms, so that Christ may be born anew in our hearts. Let us pray:
All: Come, Lord Jesus
Celebrant: Let us now pray in silence for all our own needs and intentions:
(Pause for silent prayer)
(Pause for silent prayer)
All: O GOD of Justice and Love, bless us the people of Your world and help us to live in Your Peace. LORD, make me an instrument of Your Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love: where there is injury, let me sow pardon: where there is discord, let me sow harmony. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love: to receive sympathy as to give it: for it is in giving that we shall receive, in pardoning that we shall be pardoned, in forgetting ourselves that we shall find unending peace with others. and in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Celebrant: Heavenly Father, clear a pathway in our hearts to make ready for Your Son, so that, when He comes, He may find us serving You in sincerity of heart. We make this prayer through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Blessing:
Celebrant: Bow Your heads and pray for GOD's Blessing.
You believe that the Son of God once came to us; you look for Him to come again. May His Coming bring you the light of holiness and His Blessing bring you freedom.
All: Amen
Celebrant: May GOD make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life,
All: Amen
Celebrant: You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as Man. When He comes again in glory may He reward you with endless life,
All: Amen
Celebrant: May Almighty GOD bless you, and may this blessing remain upon you forever,
All: AMEN
Final Hymn: For unto us a Child is born
unto us a Son is given,
For unto us a Child is born
unto us a Son is given,
For unto us a Child is born
unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon His Shoulder,
and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor,
the Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace.
HAPPY ADVENT!
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