#lighttheway – Bellshill Central Church

From light comes life.
Deep in expectant earth, a seed stretches.
Through the fire-start of imagination, an idea takes root.
In a passionate flash, love glows with infant intensity.
Safe in the womb, a child senses its season turning and stirs.
It is Advent, something coming, vulnerable in its unstoppable desire…
God, unquenchable light, may they grow – the seed, the love, the idea, the child.

In the settle and stir of a burnt-orange sunrise, in the lilting laughter around
a table full of friends, in the flash of clarity that turns on the light of
insight and leads us towards wisdom, we find the peace that passes all
understanding.
But there are things we need to understand. Help us hear you in the
stories of those who struggle. Peace is what the prophets foretold.
Peace is what is sacrificed when profit takes precedence.
We light a candle for peace and pray for the courage to stand up for it.

In this second week of Advent, as the waiting and expectation heighten,
deepen our desire for peace. Like the wise called to journey in
those early dawning days, may we seek, strive, search for peace. Like the
prophets old and new, may we cry out for its coming.
We light a candle for peace. May it light the way.

As winter days dim and bow to early darkness, you, God of light, set watch
in the night sky and beckon the wise to follow.

When hope hangs low in the human heart, you, loving creator, kindle
compassion, breathing life into the early embers of change and empathy.

We light a candle for hope, sending prayers high into the inky heavens and
dreams deep into the human soul.

As Advent dawns, God of all hope, shine your light on the story of the
saints who journeyed before us. May the seeds they planted in the world
– peace, joy, love – take hold in our hearts and stretch towards the light.

We light a candle for hope. May it light the way.

Tag: #lighttheway

Reflection for Advent Peace

Reflection for Advent Hope