Family prayer for the First Sunday of Advent 2024

The PDF version of the Family prayer for the First Sunday of Advent 2024 can be downloaded here.
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This Sunday, December 1, we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent 2024. A very useful way to tune in to the spirit of this ‘time of waiting’ is to pray an appropriate liturgy or prayer as a family, like the one we present below, around one of the characteristic symbols of this time: the Advent wreath.

In this Family Prayer we are going to light the first candle of the Advent wreath.

before prayer

We recommend you put the Advent wreath in a special place in the house, around which family members gather. Next to the crown you can place a image of the Virgintrying to illuminate the environment with a warm light, which favors the spirit of meditation.

A MONITOR must be appointed to lead the prayer – it may be the father or the mother – as well as a READER (or readers, as desired, to distribute the different parts of the prayer, so that the greatest number of people can participate. people). The others will participate with their answers, singing or making requests.

One of the participants (previously chosen) will turn on the first candle of the Advent Wreath during the first verse of the song: “Today a flame is lit.”

NOTE: We suggest that you read or review in advance the complete text of the Family Prayer, especially the indications in italics within the text, which they should not be read aloud.

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Liturgy for the First Sunday of Advent 2024

ALL: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

MONITOR: Our help is the name of the Lord.

ALL: What made heaven and earth.

MONITOR: Today, at the beginning of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year. Advent is a special time of preparation and waiting. We will light, week after week, the four candles of this wreath as a symbol of our gradual preparation to receive the Lord Jesus at Christmas. The lights of the candles remind us that He is the Light of the world that breaks in to dispel the darkness that surrounds us. The green color of the crown symbolizes life and hope in Him, God made a child.

(moment of silence)

LECTOR:

Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah:

“Arise, shine, Jerusalem; your light comes and the glory of the Lord dawns upon you. For see how darkness covers the earth, and a thick cloud covers the people, but the Lord dawns upon you and his glory appears upon you.” (Is 60, 1-2).

MONITOR:

We gather for a few moments in silence and bowing our heads we will ask that the Lord bless this Advent wreath. Let us pray… (there is a brief silence)

LECTOR (or readers, they say):

I. The earth, Lord, rejoices these days,
and your Church overflows with joy
before your Son, the Lord Jesus,
that looms like a splendid light,
to illuminate those of us who lie in darkness
of ignorance, pain and sin.
Full of hope in his coming,
your people have prepared this crown
with branches from the forest and has decorated it with lights.

II. Now then, let’s start
preparation time
for the coming of your Son,
we ask you, Lord,
that, while increasing every day
the splendor of this crown, with new lights,
enlighten us
with the splendor of Him who,
for being the Light of the world,
will illuminate all the darkness.
We ask it for Himself
who lives and reigns forever and ever.

ALL: Amen.

MONITOR:

(Lighting the first purple candle in the crown)

Let’s sing now TODAY A FLAME IS LIT (or any other appropriate song)

EVERYONE SINGS:

(A person lights the first purple candle while the first verse of the song is sung)

TODAY A FLAME IS LIT
IN THE ADVENT CROWN,
LET OUR HOPE BURN
IN THE AWAKEN HEART
AND TO THE HEAT OF THE MOTHER

1. LET’S WALK THIS TIME

   A first light turns on

   announcing the King who is coming,

prepare hearts,

pave the paths.

MONITOR:

Let us ask the Lord to strengthen our faith at this time and let us raise our requests with confidence. Let us respond to each request by saying: THROUGH YOUR MOTHER’S INTERCESSION, LISTEN TO US LORD. (Free requests) MONITOR:Following the guidelines of the Church, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025 let us pray together a

Prayer of intercession

:
ALL:
O Father, in your mercy, hear the pleas of your children.
On the path that takes us to the Jubilee of 2025,

renew our faith and increase in us hope and charity,

helping us to be witnesses of your love in the world. Amen.

ALL:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukIbp9Wqj_Q