Prayer for the Advent Wreath Week Three

The lighting of the Advent candles symbolizes the hope that the coming Messiah represents in a world that very often seems dark, forbidding and hopeless. We do so because we are a people living in faith that our Divine Master will come again in glory at the end of time to dispense peace and justice. The joyous anticipation of the season of Advent is captured in the teachings of the prophets from the Old Testament: "Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he…" (Zechariah 9:9)

Advent Wreath Prayer - Third Week

By Msgr. Bernard Bourgeois

Heavenly Father, today is the Third Sunday of Advent. Everything about today speaks of rejoicing in your presence among us. The prayers, readings and even the pink candle remind us that we are building up to the celebration of your decision to step into time and take a place in the human family.  Help me, Lord, to feel the excitement of a child who waits to open that large Christmas gift. Inspire me to open my heart, mind and soul to your presence, not only in the world but within me, which calls me to holiness and truth. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Collect Prayer Third Sunday of Advent

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us. He is the Savior of all. May He come quickly and not delay. We ask this in His holy name. Amen.