Christ Church

The Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Father: Our Help is in the Name of the Lord.
(or Head of Household)

Family: Who has made Heaven and Earth.

Father: Let us pray:

O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth your blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from you the abundant graces of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family: Amen

Then follows the next prayer, which is also said throughout the first week before the evening meal, beginning with Sunday Evening.

The Week of the First Sunday in Advent

Father: Let us pray:

O Lord, stir up your power and come, that by the protection of your grace we may be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and be saved by your deliverance; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family: Amen

One Candle is lit and left burning during the evening meal each night of this week.

The Week of the Second Sunday in Advent

Father: Let us pray:

O Lord, stir up our hearts, we beseech you, that the way of your only-begotten Son may be prepared within us, that through His coming, we may be made worthy to serve you with pure hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family: Amen

Two Candles are lit and left burning during the evening meal each night of this week.

The Week of the Third Sunday in Advent

Father: Let us pray:

O Lord, we beseech you, incline your ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of your visitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family: Amen

Three Candles are lit and left burning during the evening meal each night of this week. The third candle may be rose-coloured, reminding us of the joy and the hope of our Lord’s coming to us through the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Third Sunday in Advent is traditionally called “Gaudete” (Latin for Rejoice) or “Rose” Sunday.

The Week of the Fourth Sunday in Advent

Father: Let us pray:

O Lord, we beseech you, stir up your power and come, and with your great might deliver us, that with the help of your grace, your merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Family: Amen

All Four Candles are lit and left burning during the evening meal each night of this week.

Your Advent Wreath may become your family Christmas Wreath, either by placing a single white candle – the Christ Candle – in the centre of the wreath and/or by replacing the purple and rose candles with white candles. The Christmas Collect (below) may be used each night of the twelve days of the Christmas Season.

Father: Let us pray:

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

Family: Amen