Each week during Advent, we will post a piece of artwork and prayer. Take a moment to pause, be still and spend some time with God.
Week 1 – Theme: Hope

Picture:
The Annunciation by Arthur Hacker (1892)
Prayer:
God of all hope and joy
open our hearts in welcome,
that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming
may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen
A PDF version of this reflection is available to download here.
Week 2 – Theme: Faith

Prayer:
Mary could not have known what she was saying “yes” to: we pray for her faith and trust.
Joseph could not have known where his trust was leading him: we pray for his patience.
The travellers could not have known the end of their journey:
we pray for their boldness.
The shepherds could not have known the meaning of their vision: we pray for their open minds.
The Christ-child could not have known what was happening to him: we join with him in his fragile humanity in bringing before the unknown of divinity our prayer, praise and wonder this Christmas tide. Amen
A PDF version of this reflection is available to download here.
Week 3 – Theme: Joy

Prayer:
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in:
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.
A PDF version of this reflection is available to download here.
Week 4 – Theme: Peace

Prayer:
O God, we thank you for the message of peace that Christmas brings to our distracted world. Give peace among nations, peace in our land, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts, as we remember the birth at Bethlehem of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A PDF version of this reflection is available to download here.