ferlinfie

https://hallow.com/blog/advent-calendars/

https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/#fourth-advent-candle-love

Fourth Advent Candle/Sunday: Love

“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.” – St. (Pope) John Paul II

The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is the color purple, leading us to eagerly await the new Kingdom of God on earth. This Advent, light the fourth candle on Sunday, December 18, 2022. 

Prayer for lighting Advent candles — Henri Nouwen

Each person or family might approach lighting Advent candles in a different way, which is totally okay! Some families will let different members light a candle each week and say a prayer. What matters most is that the candles remind you of the overflowing hope, peace, joy, and love that the birth of Jesus means for each of us. If you’re struggling to find the words for prayer, this Advent prayer from Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen encapsulates what many of us feel and hope for during the Advent season: 

Lord Jesus, Master of both light and darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparation for Christmas. 

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. 

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of Your Kingdom. 

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of Your presence. 

We are Your people, walking in darkness yet seeking the light. To You, we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”