The Lighting of the Christ Candle
In a time of violence and despair, an ancient prophet gives good news:
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great a light . . .
The boots of earth-shaking armies on the march, the soldiers’ cloaks rolled in blood, are destined to be burnt, food for the fire.
For a child has been born to us. . . .
Wide will be the dominion and boundless the peace, . . .
with justice and righteousness from now on, for evermore.
We light the Christ candle, thankful that God has come to us,
not as a conquering hero but as a child, whose faithful, peaceful life will follow God’s way of love.
Advent Prayer:
Living God, come to our world,
May the love of Christ shine brightly,
at the center of our lives,
spreading warmth and light, in us,
in this congregation, and everywhere. Amen.