In this second advent week, we wait as the Light grows through the darkness. This week we are lighting a second Advent candle until all 5 are lit.
The light is growing weekly as we approach Christmas Day when we will celebrate the arrival of Jesus; Emmanuel (God with us), A Light in the Darkness.
The prophet Malachi calls us to watch for the messenger God will send us, a messenger who burns with a passion for God’s coming salvation: “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap;”
As we light the second candle we say, ”We light this candle of PEACE as a sign of our commitment to pursue passionately the work of making peace;
peace in our hearts, our families, our communities, and throughout the earth until God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.
A prayer taken from the Church of Scotland weekly worship page.
God of peace,
we come before You tired and weary.
Worn out from a hard week of tasks; weary from a short night of rest,
fragile as dew on a blade of grass.
Yet You set before us a fresh morning,
a window of opportunity, an offer of a new start.
For this we praise You.
God of peace,
we come before You doubting and confused,
senses dulled by relentless worry, minds restless with niggles and cares,
fragile as frost on a winter’s morning.
Yet You set before us an anchor of openness,
the wide arms of questions and acceptance
that know nothing of right or wrong.
For this we praise You.
God of peace,
we come before You often judging,
living on the breath of assumptions,
fragile as a half-heard whisper.
Yet You draw us in to Your unconditional love,
embracing us in our diversity and uniqueness.
For this we praise You.
God of peace,
forgive us our fickleness,
release us from our inner critic,
lead us gently by Your living, constant flame
to the glory of Your love and peace in which we are
welcomed, renewed, made whole.
This we ask in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, Amen