Sacred Heart School Advent Lighting Ceremony

The 4th week of Advent

WelcomeWelcomeOn Sunday we celebrated theOn Sunday we celebrated the

fourth Sunday of Advent.fourth Sunday of Advent.

Please join us in singing Please join us in singing O Emmanuel (optional):O Emmanuel (optional):

O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,Come into our hearts,Come into our hearts,O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,We’re waiting for your lightWe’re waiting for your lightO Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,God is with us nowGod is with us nowO Emmanuel, Emmanuel.O Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

We your people are waiting for you, Lord.We your people are waiting for you, Lord.Waiting all throughout the earth.Waiting all throughout the earth.We your people are waiting for you, Lord.We your people are waiting for you, Lord.Waiting to celebrate your birth.Waiting to celebrate your birth.

O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,Come into our hearts,Come into our hearts,O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,We’re waiting for your lightWe’re waiting for your lightO Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,God is with us nowGod is with us nowO Emmanuel, Emmanuel.O Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

We your people are longing for you, Lord.We your people are longing for you, Lord.Longing with hope and with joy.Longing with hope and with joy.We your people are longing for you, Lord.We your people are longing for you, Lord.Longing for the sign to rejoice.Longing for the sign to rejoice.

O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,Come into our hearts,Come into our hearts,O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,We’re waiting for your lightWe’re waiting for your lightO Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,God is with us nowGod is with us nowO Emmanuel, Emmanuel.O Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

We your people are ready for you, Lord.We your people are ready for you, Lord.Ready to change and repent.Ready to change and repent.We your people are ready for you, Lord.We your people are ready for you, Lord.Ready for you to come again.Ready for you to come again.

O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,Come into our hearts,Come into our hearts,O Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,We’re waiting for your lightWe’re waiting for your lightO Emmanuel,O Emmanuel,God is with us nowGod is with us nowO Emmanuel, Emmanuel.O Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Introduction:Introduction:In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Today we will light 4 candles from our Advent Wreath Spirit. Today we will light 4 candles from our Advent Wreath as a symbol of the weeks in Advent.as a symbol of the weeks in Advent.

Blessing of the Wreath:Blessing of the Wreath:Today we light the Today we light the Mary CandleMary Candle, it reminds us, it reminds us

of Mary’s important role in the Christmas story. of Mary’s important role in the Christmas story.

Mary was God’s chosen one as the mother of Jesus. Mary was God’s chosen one as the mother of Jesus.

She is a symbol of strength and courage, gentleness She is a symbol of strength and courage, gentleness

and love.and love.

Fourth Week of Advent: Fourth Week of Advent: AcceptanceAcceptance

This fourth week of advent has to do This fourth week of advent has to do with acceptance, which means saying with acceptance, which means saying “yes” to someone who asks us to do “yes” to someone who asks us to do something. When God asked Mary to be something. When God asked Mary to be the mother of God, she said “yes”. This the mother of God, she said “yes”. This week is our chance to say “yes” to God week is our chance to say “yes” to God through our families and friends, even through our families and friends, even though a “no” would be much easier at though a “no” would be much easier at times.times.

Together:Together:

Oh Lord, this is a time for reflecting on Oh Lord, this is a time for reflecting on our Mother Mary and imaging the our Mother Mary and imaging the anticipation that she felt about the anticipation that she felt about the arrival of Jesus. arrival of Jesus. Help us to be patient people like Help us to be patient people like Mary. May we welcome JesusMary. May we welcome Jesus into our hearts and minds into our hearts and minds throughout this Advent Season. throughout this Advent Season.

Amen.Amen.

Response:Response:Our response to the blessings is:Our response to the blessings is: Come Lord JesusCome Lord Jesus

Show me your paths and teach me to Show me your paths and teach me to follow;follow;

Guide me by Your truth and instruct me.Guide me by Your truth and instruct me.

You keep me safe and I always trust you.You keep me safe and I always trust you.

All: Come Lord JesusAll: Come Lord Jesus

You are honest and merciful, You are honest and merciful,

And you teach sinners how to follow And you teach sinners how to follow your path.your path.

You lead humble people to do You lead humble people to do

what is right and to stay on yourwhat is right and to stay on your

path.path.

All: Come Lord Jesus.All: Come Lord Jesus.

Concluding Prayer:Concluding Prayer:God of grace and promise, be with us during this advent God of grace and promise, be with us during this advent season when we gather together as a Catholic community for season when we gather together as a Catholic community for the preparation of Jesus’ birth.the preparation of Jesus’ birth.We ask you to bless our Advent wreath and all who are around We ask you to bless our Advent wreath and all who are around it, may it remind us of the first coming of Jesus.it, may it remind us of the first coming of Jesus.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.