Faith

Every Sunday until Christmas, a member of the Church of England Diocese in Chelmsford will visit the BBC Essex studios to light a candle on the station’s Advent calendar and explain a little about this spiritual period. 

For the first weekend of the month, it was the Revd Tim Ball who joined Ian Wyatt in the studio with his matches. Tim is well qualified, being Chaplain to the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as well as leading his congregation at Holy Trinity in Springfield.

He took time to explain exactly what Advent is all about and why the story has faded in importance, being so close as it is to the Christmas period.  

Click on the link below to hear Tim explain the significance of the calendar and its candles, and share a prayer with us as he lights the first candle. 

Week One - Reverend Tim Ball's Advent Prayer

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Lord Jesus our Saviour
as we prepare for the festive time
help us to remember that at Christmas
you came to be the Light of The World.
May you shine in our lives.

Amen.

Week Two - Reverend Carol Smith

God our Father,
you spoke to the prophets of old
of a Saviour who would bring peace.
You helped them to spread the joyful message
of his coming kingdom.
Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth,
to share with those around us
the good news of your power and love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the light who is coming into the world.

Reverend Carol Smith light's her candle

Amen.

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
the prophets said you would bring peace
and save your people in trouble.
Lord, the world so needs your peace today.
May the leaders of the nations
be reconciled to one another
for the common good of all people. 
Give peace in our hearts at Christmas
and show all the world God’s love.

Amen.

Revd Simon Pothen lights the candle

Week Three - Revd Simon Pothen

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
John told the people to prepare,
For you were very near.
As Christmas grows closer day by day,
Help us to be ready to welcome you now.

Amen.

Bishop John lights the candle

Week Four - Bishop John

Lord,
Strengthen our faith to trust your promise
to be with us;
deepen hope in our hearts
as we work for a better future for your world;
and
stir up your love within us
to offer our lives wholly to your service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen