Advent : We Wait for the Lord

Prayer of Blessing For Your Advent Wreath Lord, our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel, the hope of all people, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation. Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this Advent wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Messengers for the Messiah The little Baby born in a stable was no accident…no fluke. He was the fulfillment of God’s great plan to save us. Nor did tiny Jesus come without warning. Messengers – many messengers – pointed to Him before He came! We celebrate with them this advent season!

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. Our Father, 3 Hail Mary

First Joyful Mystery: the Annunciation The angel Gabriel says to Mary that she is going to be the mother of Jesus

God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth (Luke 1:26)

He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. (Luke1:27)

The angel came to her and said, "Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!" (Luke 1:28)

Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. (Luke 1:29)

The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus." (Luke 1:30-31)

Mary said to the angel, "I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?" (Luke 1:34)

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God.'" (Luke 1:35)

"Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old." (Luke1:36)

"For there is nothing that God cannot do." (Luke 1:37)

"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her. (Luke 1:36)