Cymraeg
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Dictionary

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Advent

Advent means ‘coming’ and is the special four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also for his coming in glory at the end of time.

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Collect

A collect is a short prayer used in liturgy, for example towards the beginning of the Eucharist. It often reflects the themes of the particular season of the Church’s year. Its name comes from the idea that it ‘collects’ together the lessons of the service readings.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home Publications Prayers Prayers: Advent One

Prayers: Advent One

Lord God of Advent, of adventure in faith, and generous in the gift of Grace,
bless and inspire your people as we begin the journey to Christmas.

As you prepared your people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah,
so prepare our hearts and the hearts of the world to receive you,
and move us in our love for each other and in the service of all in need.
Your will be done, and your Kingdom come,
this day and for ever. Amen.

  • Bishop Gregory Cameron

Lighting of the Candles (Set I)

Eternal God,
as darkness settles across our ancient land
and the cold winter lays heavy upon our lives
we light a candle
to brighten the shadows
and warm our hearts,
so that he of whom the patriarchs spoke
may find us alert to his presence
and ready to welcome him, the Light of the world,
for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Lighting of the Candles (Set II)

Hurry, Lord Jesus,
and come to us quickly:
fill our hearts with excitement
at your coming into the world.
May your ancient promises
fulfil the hopes of everyone on earth.
Amen. (or Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)

God in Heaven,
awaken our hearts to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus.
Help us to always be ready to serve you,
even when we least expect it.
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God in Heaven,
awaken our hearts to prepare the way for the coming of your Son.
May our lives be strengthened by Jesus’ grace,
so that we serve you faithfully all our days;
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  • The Venerable Robert Townsend

Collect 1

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion Prayer 2

God our deliverer, awaken our hearts
to prepare the way for the advent of your Son;
that, with minds purified by the grace of his coming,
we may serve you faithfully all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.