All Sign of the Cross Leader (As the candle is lit) In our winter darkness our Advent candle lights the way. God is with us we light our candle. We know that God is with us at all times. We know that God was with us in the brightness of the summer and the freshness of spring. We know that God was with in the golden colours of Autumn. We know that God is with us now this winter.

 Everyone responds:

Be with us through the winter darkness

Leader: Our days have become shorter

 

Everyone responds:Be with us through the winter darkness

Leader: Our night skies are brightened by the stars

Everyone responds:Be with us through the winter darkness

Leader: We watch the wonder of the dark outside

Everyone responds:Be with us through the winter darkness

Leader: We remember those who fear the dark.  We remember though who are lonely at night.  We ask that God be with them in a special way thiswinter as we pray:

Our Father......

From the Gospel of St Luke(Luke 1: 26-35)

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly u! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and willbe called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; hiskingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the SonOf God.

Advent Hymn (Alive-O 5, page 114)1. O Jesus, the source of all wisdom,The one who will show the way of peace.Be the light that burns so bright,Lighting up our lives.

Chorus:Prepare, prepare, prepare for the One who is coming.Prepare, prepare.Let us welcome Him into our hearts.

2. O Jesus, son of Mary, Jesus, cousin of John;Calling in the wilderness, calling for all to hear.

Chorus:Prepare, prepare, prepare for the One who is coming.Prepare, prepare.Let us welcome Him into our hearts.

3. O Jesus, God is with us. Emmanuel, the king of all kings;Born in a manger, humble of birth, bringer of hope to the world.

Chorus:Prepare, prepare, prepare for the One who is coming.Prepare, prepare.Let us welcome Him into our hearts.