Advent – Retreat 2020 – Christ’s Candle

I thought we had better wrap-up Advent in a meaningful way. As a bonus I am providing you with yet another script for prayer and meditation! I hope this retreat brought you into closer moments with God and peace to your heart. God Bless!

💜The Christ Candle represents the light that the Son brought into the world when he was born a little baby, God in the flesh. The fact that the Advent candles remain on Christmas Eve puts the focus on this special moment of birth, the moment of transition from prophecy to fulfillment. On Christmas Day and the Christmas Sundays, the Advent candles are usually removed, but the Christ Candle remains. This reminds us that old things have passed away, and all has been made new.

💜Opening Prayer – Reflect on the Graces Prayed For:

To know the Lord more intimately in order to love and serve him more.
     “Here I am, Lord, Here I am”
To Love the Lord more intimately in order to make Him your greatest treasure.
     “I am yours Lord, I am yours”
To commune with God and experience true Joy.
    “My soul rejoices in my God, My soul rejoices”
To spend time with God in Perfect Peace.
    “May the gift of God’s Peace be within me”

💜Reflect on Revelation 22:16-17
“It is I, Jesus who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches.  I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”  
    The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
    And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
    And let everyone who is thirsty come.
    Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

💜Advent is a time to open our hearts for the coming of Jesus. We spent the last four weeks preparing our hearts and now we rejoice in anticipation for Christ’s birth.  We call out…”Come Lord I am thirsting for you!”  Christmas is the time when we receive the most precious of all gifts, unconditional love and our Salvation.  

💜As we live out our days on earth, God calls us to continually drink from the water of life, by immersing ourselves in His Holy Word; communication with him through prayer and worshiping in community with others.

💜Many this Christmas are isolated, ill and fearful.  God has sent His angel upon us, placing love in our hearts so that we can give these gifts to those around us:
    The gift of knowing Jesus
    The gift of Prayer
    The gift of sharing joy

💜Retreat Reflection/Journal Questions, use your responses as your closing prayer:
How has your relationship with Jesus grown or changed?
How has the meaning of Christmas grown or changed?

💜This Christmas we are faced with uncertainty, fear, illness and isolation.  God will get us through, when these feelings arise…Let us remember why we celebrate this day…Jesus is the Star…The Greatest Gift of All!

I wish God’s Blessings and the Grace of Peace for you and your families this Christmas Season!  

Share your retreat experience, comments, and suggestions in the comments.

Courageous Butterfly,
Kimberly