Daily Advent Reflections
Advent is our season of expectation and preparation. On the first day of each of Advent’s four weeks, we light another Advent candle as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ on Christmas Day.
And each year, members of the St Bene’t’s community offer up daily reflections on Advent, this season of hope and expectation. You can read them on the website, or subscribe to receive them in your inbox. Think of it as a prayerful Advent Calendar.
This year, our reflections echo the prayers our children will be saying as we light the Advent Candle on Sunday morning:
Week One: Journeying
We reflect on the journey of the matriarchs and patriarchs — the ancestors of our faith: God of Abraham and Sarah and all the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of old, you are our Father too. Your love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and Son of David. Help us in preparing to celebrate his birth to make our hearts ready and to place our hope in you. Help us today and every day to worship you, to follow you, and to do your will by sharing your love with others. We ask this in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Week Two: Preparing
We reflect on the ways that the prophets have prepared the Way of the Lord, helping us to make ready for the arrival of God’s Word. God our Father, you spoke through the prophets to tell of the birth of the Prince of Peace and spread the news of the coming of his kingdom. Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth, to share with all who we meet the good news of your love and power. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Week Three: Hoping
We reflect on the messages of hope that run throughout Scripture, even in times of darkness. God our Father, your servant John the Baptist prepared people for the way of the Lord and baptised them in the river Jordan to wash away their sins. Help us, who have been baptised in Christ, to welcome him joyfully into our hearts and to grow strong in faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who brought joy to the world.
Week Four: Responding
We reflect on how we respond to God’s call to us, as Mary responded to God’s call. God our Father, the angel Gabriel told your servant Mary that she was to be the mother of your Son, and you gave her grace to say ‘Yes’ to your call. Help us, like her, to recognise your voice, to trust you, and to say 'Yes' to your call to us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and the Prince of Peace.
