If you have an Advent Wreath at home, pray for joy in this third week of the season as you light the first, second and third (rose) candles each day. If you don't have an Advent Wreath - light any candle and pray for joy. If you have no candle, simply stay right here with these digital candles and pray for joy... And yes: pray this same litany on each night of the third week of Advent... Our Advent path has taken us now half-way to the celebration of Christ's birthday. Joyful at this mark on our journey, we take off the purple of repentance and don the lighter color of rose for vestments and the Advent wreath. As we light this third candle, let's pray for JOY. It may be that our joy may be muted by personal burdens or news of the troubled world in which we live. Still, it's at just such times that only the healing and peace of Christ can give us a glimpse of the joy he brings, in season and out of season - even and especially to hearts burdened with problems, grief and loss...
Pray for the joy Christ's coming brought us...
Pray for the joy Christ's coming gives us...
Pray for the joy Christ's coming promises...
Pray for joy that survives our personal tragedies...
Pray for joy when it seems that joy will never come again...
Pray for joy that heals the wounded soul...
Pray for joy that gives us strength...
Pray for joy in the hearts of those who hide their sorrow...
Pray for joy that brings us hope...
Pray for the joy the lonely long for...
Pray for joy in the hearts of those who are in prison...
Pray for the joy the grieving thirst for...
Pray for joy in the joyless corners of the world...
Pray for joy for the chronically ill...
Pray for joy to mend a broken heart...
Pray for joy that only peace can bring...
Pray for joy that lifts the heart...
Pray for joy that smiles in sorrow's face...
Pray for the joy that's born of faith...
Pray for the joy that others give us...
Pray for joy to offer others...
Pray for the joy that each of us needs...
Pray for joy!
Pray for joy!
Pray for joy!
Amen.
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