Words of Light and Hope from Tony Hawes.

WORDS OF LIGHT AND HOPE
Sunday 3rd December  2023
First Sunday of Advent

Tony Hawes

Words of Light and Hope from Tony Hawes,

This is Advent, season of promise. In our worship

we prepare for the birth of a baby in a dusty stable

in Bethlehem. We remind ourselves that this child

will become the Saviour of the World, who will

return again in power and glory, to draw all of his

children together with songs of everlasting praise.

The promise of the baby is also the promise of

eternal life to all who believe.

God of hope, be with us in our Advent journey

to the stable and beyond. Be with us in our meeting

and in our travelling together. Be with us in our

worship and in our praying together. Be with us

in our Advent journey to the stable and beyond,

our God of hope……

This Advent-time we remember Mary and Joseph,

giving thanks for their faithfulness, courage and

obedience. Stepping out into the unknown in the

strength of your Spirit. Playing their part in the

fulfilment of your plan to bring your prodigal

people home again.

We pray that their example might be the pattern

of our lives, that when your gentle whisper

breaks through the clamour of this world and

into our small corner, we might be ready to listen,

and having listened, to act……

God of hope, who brought love into this world,

be the love that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world,

be the peace that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world,

be the joy that dwells between us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon,

be the centre, the focus of our lives always,

and particularly at this Advent time.  Amen.

            (Faith and Worship – John Birch.)