Prayer in the home has played an important part in both Jewish and Christian tradition and can deeply enrich our grasp of the grace of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. Imaginative patterns of domestic prayer need not be limited to homes with young children.
Much of the material in this book can be used or adapted for use in the home. It may also be suitable for use in schools.
The Advent Wreath has four red or blue candles in a ring around a white or gold candle. The first candle is lit on Advent Sunday; additional ones are lit, one on each Sunday, and the white or gold one on Christmas Day.
The new candle each week may appropriately be lit after the Gospel Reading, before the Peace or after Communion. At the latter point, the prayer(s) used at the lighting become a natural post-communion prayer.
All five candles may appropriately be alight during services through the Christmas season.
There are several traditions about the meaning or theme of each candle. The scheme that accords best with the proposed Lectionary is:
| Advent 1 | The Patriarchs |
| Advent 2 | The Prophets |
| Advent 3 | John the Baptist |
| Advent 4 | The Virgin Mary |
| Christmas Day | The Christ |
Each of the four Sundays then reminds us of those who prepared for the coming of Christ. 'The Patriarchs' can naturally focus on Abraham, our father in faith, and David, Jesus' ancestor in whose city he was born. 'The Prophets' gives an opportunity to reflect on the way the birth of the Messiah was 'foretold'. John, who proclaimed the Saviour, and Mary, who bore him in her womb, complete the picture.
The prayers below reflect these four themes. The second and third prayer in each case are written with children in mind, and the third is to be said by the congregation together. Only one prayer need be used on any occasion, though the second and third fit well together in each case.
2) God our Father,
you gave to Zechariah and Elisabeth in their old age
a son called John.
He grew up strong in spirit,
prepared the people for the coming of the Lord,
and baptized them in the Jordan to wash away their sins:
Help us, who have been baptized into Christ,
to be ready to welcome him into our hearts,
and to grow strong in faith by the power of the Spirit.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the Light who is coming into the world.
The Christmas Tree can have a liturgical character if it is decorated to take the form of a Jesse Tree. Jesse Trees exist in the form of stone carvings, stained glass windows and elaborate candelabra, and were designed to show the genealogy of Christ in the form of a tree.
When this idea is adapted for the decoration of the Christmas Tree, the decorations are symbolic of events or people in the history of salvation. The sun, moon or stars can represent the creation, an apple stands for the fall, an ark or dove for the flood, the burning bush for Moses, a harp for King David, a temple for King Solomon and so on. There can be an angel of the annunciation, a rose or lily for the Blessed Virgin, and various symbols for Christ, such as a fish or a star. The coloured balls which customarily hang on the tree can be painted with monograms symbolising Christ, such as XP or IHS. A small loaf together with a miniature chalice made of metal foil can be hung on the tree to represent the eucharist.
The easiest way to make most of the figures is to use cardboard, cut to outline, and then covered with metal foil in different colours. Another source of material is postcards and old Christmas cards. The process of making these designs will give parents an opportunity to talk with children about the themes which lie behind them.
On the evening of Christmas Eve the Tree and Crib may be blessed, while the main candle of the Advent Wreath is lit. This is a good opportunity for family prayers, or a simple part of a Crib service in church.
One or more of these prayers may be used.
On the tree of the cross you took away our sins;
we come to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
You are the new branch of the tree of David,
bringing hope to all peoples;
we come to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Before each of these prayers the following introduction may be used.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praiseAdvent
We thank you, Father, maker of heaven and earth,
for the food and shelter of this home,
for the hope you give us in the scriptures,
and for the light you bring us in Jesus Christ. Amen.Christmas
We thank you, Father, giver of all good things,
for the joy of this season of Christmas,
for the good news of a Saviour,
and for the wonder of the Word made flesh,
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.New Year
We thank you, Father, Lord of all time,
for the gifts of food, warmth and company,
for your love and protection of this home,
and, in all that this year may hold,
for the friendship of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.Epiphany
We thank you, Father, God of love,
for the signs of your love on this table,
for your love made known through all the world
and shining on us in the face of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.The prayers of Section 1 may also be used as Table Prayers, and the introduction given above may be used.
Prayer in the home on Saturday evening may form part of preparation for Sunday worship.
As suggested in the Introduction to the Service of Light (Chapter1), p.10, one of the readings for the next day can be read; a song can be sung; a responsory can be used; there can be a time of prayer, either silent, led by one person, or with all participating; a collect can be used.
One of the following may be suitable as a concluding prayer.
Father of mercy,
continue, we pray, your loving kindness to us all;
May we walk in the way of righteousness before you,
loyal to your law and clinging to good deeds.
Keep far from us all manner of shame, grief and care;
and grant that peace, light and joy
may ever abide in our home;
For with you is the fountain of life,
and in your light we see light. Amen.God in the night
God at my right
God all the day
God with me stay
God in my heart
Never depart
God with thy might
Keep us in light
Through this dark night.As watchmen look for the morning
so do we look for you, O Christ.
Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself known to us in the breaking of bread;
for you are our God for ever and ever.Amen.Yours is the day, O Lord,
and yours is the night.
Let Christ the Sun of Righteousness
abide in our hearts to drive away
the darkness of evil thoughts:
for he is Lord for ever and ever.Amen.