This message was posted on our Emmaus ECC Facebook page and seems worth sharing here: (Emmaus on Facebook)
Each week, the Emmaus community gathers by Zoom to celebrate Mass. Over the past months, we have focused on creating sacred spaces in our homes for Sunday gatherings and to carry into the week. Advent begins next Sunday, November 29, and during this time, our tradition includes lighting a new candle each week so by Christmas there are three purple candles and one pink candle lit with a white candle on Christmas Day. In a church setting, this is generally done in a wreath. In continuing the practice of sacred spaces in our homes, we encourage you to establish your own Advent “wreath” and join us each Sunday at 10:30 to prepare for the coming of Christ in Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace. We know that some homes may not have a wreath, so please share your ideas for displaying your candles.
Here are a few to start: Basic Traditional Wreath: https://www.instructables.com/Make-an-Advent-Wreath-for…/
Simple Display: https://faithlutheranoregon.com/2018/11/06/diy-advent/
Rustic Display: https://thismichiganlife.com/…/diy-rustic-advent…/
Coloring Page: http://www.freefunchristmas.com/…/advent-wreath…/
Here is the prayer we will say over our Advent wreaths this coming Sunday:
Holy and Eternal God, we praise you for your Christ and Our Savior, Jesus: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation. We pray…(extend hands of blessing) let your blessing come upon this wreath and upon us as we light the candles. May the wreath and the light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. We ask this through Christ our light. Amen. Today we light the candle of hope. (light the first purple candle of hope)
May the light of Christ lead us to the hope of God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
If you would like to join us for mass email me and I can send you the zoom link.
Bishop Kedda
Bishop Kedda 