Light four candles (Hope, Faith, Joy and Love) as we wait the arrival of Jesus

 

Hope

 

Leader:            Hope is not blind optimism – it is where expectation and commitment meet

All:                  We celebrate hope: 

–       that good will conquer evil 

–       that unconditional love is the most powerful force in the world which can truly change the world

–       that forgiveness is available to each of us, to free us from the guilt of the past

–       that each of us is loved and valued

–       that we will achieve hope in our own lives, by bringing hope to others

 

 

Faith

We think that on our own we won’t be able to change anything, but

All: If we have as much faith as a mustard seed we will be able to move mountains

 

And when we share our plans with a small group of others who share the passion for our vision

All: and we have as much faith as a mustard seed we will be able to move mountains

 

And when all those who share the vision form a movement and commit themselves to make the change happen

All: And we have as much faith as a mustard seed we will be able to move mountains

 

 

Joy

Let us celebrate the special joy of the Christmas season

As we wait in anticipation for the birth of Jesus

The warm fire in the dark nights

The buying of the Christmas tree

The putting up of the decorations

The planning of what we can give to others we care about

But also remembering those, who like Mary and Joseph, are poor and a long way from friends and family

Let our joy not be a selfish one, but one that comes from extending our hospitality to those who are alone, or feel excluded.

Love

 

We recognise that everyone views the world differently and different people believe many different things

All: Help us to accept others as they are and to give ourselves in love unconditionally

 

We recognise that many of us struggle with our faith and our doubts

All: help us to accept ourselves as we are and to give ourselves in love unconditionally

 

We recognise that many of use feel trapped by things we have done in the past

All: Help us to find forgiveness and to give ourselves in love unconditionally

 

We recognise that many of us harbour feelings of bitterness and anger because of things that have happened in the past

All: Help us to liberate ourselves by forgiving those who have hurt us and to give ourselves in love unconditionally

 

We recognise that the experience of loss can be devastating, destroying our confidence in ourselves and the beauty and joy of the world

All: Help us to rediscover the joy of life anew and to give ourselves in love unconditionally