Cymraeg
CY
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.

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 Three

Prayers: Advent Three

Most merciful Lord,
from the waters of the River Jordan came forth an invitation to find mercy and hope;
from the lips of a man of poverty and prayer came forth the promise of your abundant forgiveness and love.
We give thanks for the ministry of St John the Baptist whom you called to prepare the way for the coming of your dear Son, Jesus.
May John’s call to ‘Repent’ and to orientate our lives towards your transforming power enable to us to wholeheartedly welcome the Christ-child into our hearts this Christmas,
that our soiled souls may be cleansed by His Living Water,
and the poverty of our humanity transfigured by His over-flowing Grace;
Blessed are you, Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ame

Lighting of the Candles (Set I)

Eternal God,
as the darkness beckons closer
and the night-time lingers on
we light a candle
to dispel the darkness of our hearts
and chase away the shadows of our minds
so that he of whom John the Baptist spoke
may find a bright and clear path
and find us ready and willing 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 joy
at your coming into the world.
May the words of John the Baptist
open the hearts of everyone on earth.
Amen. (or Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)

God in Heaven,
you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus.
Help us to prepare the way for Jesus today,
so that when Jesus comes again,
we may be ready to greet him with great joy.
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Collect 5

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.