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ADVENT
FAMILY PRAYER
Week
2
PRAYER
AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH
God
of Love, You care for us every moment of every day. You are thinking of
us, even when we are not thinking of You. We feel lucky to have you on our
side. Help us to prepare the way for You so that others will get to know
You. Help us to reach out in Love and understanding to all Your people, so
that everyone will know that You are Goodness itself and You are real.
Amen.
Jesus
Christ came into the world for all people. This week, let us focus on the
real meaning of Christmas and use this Advent period to remember all those
disadvantaged peoples of the world:
 The
poor in Spirit;The unemployed;The physically and mentally challenged;
Those oppressed by unjust systems of government;
Those who are suffering because of wars in their home countries;
And all who are not as fortunate as we are.
Did
you meet someone this week who could use a little of God’s loving care?
Were you able to be open? Did you see Jesus in that person? Were you able
to be Jesus for that person? What kind of news do you think a poor person
would be happy to receive? How about a person with a broken heart? Are
there ways you may be considered “poor” or “broken hearted”? (Are
you suffering from financial problems, fears, loneliness, separation from
a friend or loved one, problems in school or work, sickness of someone you
love, etc.?)
Jesus,
You came among us as a Peacemaker.
Let us see
our responsibility for making peace become a reality.
Jesus,
You came that justice and peace might be achieved.
 During
this Advent season, give us the courage to help make this happen. Amen.
 REFLECTION:
Mary is a central figure in our Advent story. As we approach the
last days before Christmas, the church reminds us of the faith of Mary.
Faith demands that we look upon that which we cannot understand and say
yes. Faith is required every time we approach the Eucharist. Mary is a
model of that faith, she is able to place her trust in God even though she
does not understand. As we approach the celebration of Christ's birth, let
us reflect on something we may not understand, such as why there are so
many homeless and hungry, and let us say "yes" as we open our
minds, our hearts, and our hands to those who are less fortunate than we
are.
Maybe this
week we could have our children decorate tin cans to collect pennies in to
donate to St. Vincent de Paul or maybe, buy a gift for the Angel Tree. Or
as we shop for our turkey dinner, we could buy an extra few cans of food
and donate them to our St. Vincent de Paul or local Food Bank.
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