Advent Prayer Service

Preparation

Consider the themes of Advent - expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing for the Saviour Jesus, who brings peace, justice and right living to our world. Focus on the call of Jesus to make the Kingdom a reality as we wait for the final coming.

The social issue to be addressed in this service will be that of homelessness. Mary and Joseph knew the stress and deprivation of homelessness and Jesus was born into a world that didn’t afford Him a fitting space for His birthing.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Students could carry out a project on homeless, gathering and recording statistics in their own area and nationally. Check out www.focusonireland.ie to do your bit to help.
This service will be held on the third week of Advent. The two purple candles on the sacred space will be lit in advance of the service.

Action

The group involved in the service could encourage all students in the school to raise awareness of homeless people in the local community. The media could be contacted to feature articles on homelessness. Collections of food and clothing could be organised in the school and donations given to those in the locality who help the homeless. Students might also take part in fund-raising for the homeless.

Prayer Space

A sacred space will be prepared by students in the prayer room e.g. this could be based on the Advent wreath – circle of green (cloth, greenery, moss etc) on a slightly raised space on the floor, three large purple and one pink candle will be place at equal intervals on the circle.
In the centre, a manger (in the shape of a nest) could be set and beside it a large white candle placed. After each week’s work the group will place a little hay (symbolising their work of love) in the manger. At the end of the Advent season the manger will be filled and lined with hay (love). This will be their Christmas offering to the Saviour who has loved them with an everlasting love. The Gifts for the homeless will be placed in baskets or boxes in this space.

Prayer Cards

A prayer card will be prepared for each student. They can decide who will do this. They might also like to prepare similar cards for the students throughout the school, who actively participated in their project. These cards will be kept by students after the service to remind them to continue to minister to the poor.

He anointed me to bring Good News to the poor’’

Candles
Each student will be given a purple candle. Their names can be placed on these candles.

Entrance Procession
All students will process into the sacred space holding their unlit candles. The class teacher will light the pink candle for the third week of Advent. All students will light their candle from the pink candle and place them in the sacred space.

Opening Hymn
God Will Make a Way: Don Moen

Opening Prayer
Creator God, we come together to prepare our hearts and our community for the coming of your Son, Jesus. He was born, with no place to call home, yet He made His home among the poor and the outcast, having nowhere to lay His head. Empower us now to follow His example, to challenge unjust ways and to live His life of care, outreach and love for others. This we ask through Mary’s intercession and in His name. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
Student: We are all interconnected and yet we choose to deny this by our action.
All: Forgive us, Creator God.

Student: When we have plenty and our neighbour cries out in need.
All: Forgive us, Creator God.

Student: When our greed causes our neighbour to be without.
All: Forgive us, Creator God.

Student: When we refuse to listen and allow our hearts harden.
All: Forgive us, Creator God.

Student: When we are driven by comfort seeking and are blind to the truth.
All: Forgive us, Creator God.

Student: When the media is the God who directs our lives.
All: Forgive us, Creator God. Help us to live lives that are filled with love.

Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1- 5. 9 -14

Psalm: Like A Shepherd. (Or some other suitable psalm)

Second Reading: 1 John 4: 7-10

Gospel: Luke 7: 19 -23

Story
A homeless person shares his/her story or a story of homeless person is shared by a student who has listened to that person.

Quiet Time

Reflective music can be played during this time e.g. Taizé Music.

This will be followed by Reflection, Litany of Hope, Prayer of Thanks, Blessing and Final Song.
Our pleas have gone unnoticed, our voices are unknown.
We roam the alleys and your streets, while searching for a home.
Our mouths do not know the taste of food that’s off a plate.
We depend on scraps from others, after they have ate.

While money’s spent to fight our wars and build military might,
We, the homeless, struggle on with rags to warm the night.
Our brothers and our sisters, walk by and only stare,
No kindness offered from their hearts, the compassion is not there.

Saddened and discouraged, from disgusted looks we receive,
we see the children laugh and point at what they do perceive.
They are made believe that we are dirt and have brought about our woes.
How very wrong for you to think, how little that you know.

We are part of society too, but, we pay the ultimate price
of having lonely roads to walk, while governments roll their dice.
Politicians will not face us or look us in the eye.
They seem to think we don’t exist and the problem soon will die.

Know the country is turning its back and ignoring human rights.
While we, the homeless, try to survive; so weak we cannot fight.
Priorities appear to get mixed up when juggled by a few.
Politicians who long for nothing, they’re so shiny and brand new.
The art museum must be given a grant to continue its marvelous work.

The elite would not know what to do, to satisfy their quirk.
Let’s not forget the pilot study, should we build a road through there?
Spend that money foolishly, governments simply don’t care.

And, don’t forget to toss more money to renovate some old house;
the importance of who lived there, once, and the interest it would arouse.
These are a few of our misspent dollars, being laid and put to rest.
Sadly enough, these politicians all think it’s for the best.

The words that I am trying to say are meant to open some eyes.
When governments say they’re doing their best, that’s nothing but a lie!
So take a look around you, at where these grants should go.
Take the homeless off cold streets, let’s warm their hearts and soul.

Litany of Hope

Leader: When politics and politicians listen to the cry of the poor.
All: Then shall the light shine forth like the dawn.

Leader: When none go hungry and we share the earth resources.
All: Then shall the light shine forth like the dawn.

Leader: When all have a safe place they call home.
All: Then shall the light shine forth like the dawn.

Prayer of Thanks

Creator God, we give you praise and thanks for all through whom your light shines; for men, women and children who work for peace and justice for all people. We praise you for the work that continues quietly and tirelessly by people of courage and vision throughout the world, so that your coming on earth is a reality for all people.

(Pause for quiet time – maybe students might like to name some people who do this work)

We praise you for this work that goes unnoticed and uncelebrated and today we celebrate all people of faith and justice. Creator God, let every heart, be a manger, where you are born daily and from which your light shines and disperses all darkness. This we ask through Mary, who brought Jesus into this world and continues her work to make her Son known and loved. Amen.
Blessing
Priest: May Jesus be born in your hearts this Christmas.
All: Amen.

Priest: May He find a home in you.
All: Amen.

Priest: May His light lead you in the ways of peace and justice.
All: Amen.

Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord in your brothers and sisters.

Music

Another Day in Paradise: Phil Collins.

When music is played all process out of prayer space. Students take their candles home to use in prayer.
Some students carry the baskets of food and gifts for the homeless.

Mission

Following the prayer service the students visit the local shelter for the homeless e.g. Simon Community to meet the homeless, to listen to, and talk with them and to share the gifts with them.