The Advent Wreath
The Candle of Hope (Prophet’s Candle)
The first Advent candle is the candle of hope, a reminder of the Hebrew prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus. Their words and actions were infused with a profound hope – hope for a kinder, more just world and hope for the arrival of love in a humble Bethlehem crib.
“The essential of happiness,” Allan K. Chalmers wrote, “is having something to do, something to love and something to hope for.” At the very outset of the liturgical year the Church presents a model of them all: a child who lives only to do the will of God, who opens his arms to love the entire world, who lives in hope of the coming of the reign of God by giving his life to bring it. At the very outset of the year, we are given the model of how to be happy (Chittister, 2009, 74).
Holy One,
Essence of kindness,
As we light the Prophet’s Candle
on our Advent wreath
we open our hearts to hope.
Guide us in this Advent season
to bring love to our world
through messages of hope,
hospitality and welcome,
through smiles and forgiveness,
through kindness and care.
May our actions reveal
your love in our world.
Amen
Reflection:
How can your ministry inspire hope this Advent, reflecting the promise of a kinder, more just world?
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare to give you a future and a hope
(Jeremiah 29 11).
