On Sunday morning, Christian community members rose with hope and positivity as the season of Advent began. Advent is a time of hope, and expectation - the spiritual preparation for the grand festival ‘Christmas’.
Due to COVID - 19, only limited numbers of worshipers were able to attend the morning prayer services in Indore city. Those who couldn't come to church took part in online service provided by Atmadarshan TV Indore.
The season of Advent for Christians begins four Sundays before Christmas Day, and ends on Christmas Eve.
Four Candles representing four virtues - Hope, Love, Joy and peace were placed in Advent Wreath in churches. These virtues reflected commonly on each Sunday as the candle is lit.
Advent Wreath was placed before altar and accompanied by sacred hymns and music. The priest sprinkled Holy water and presides over with a short prayer.
Then the assembly sang-Come, O Come, Lord Jesus Come! On the first Sunday of Advent, the priest lit the first of the four candles in the Advent wreath: the candle of Hope.
“The word 'advent' is derived from the Latin 'adventus', meaning 'coming' or 'arrival'. The entire season is marked by a spirit of anticipation and preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Chacko said.
“The entire humanity is in despair and pain due to COVID 19 pandemic. But the Advent wreath of evergreen, shaped in a perfect circle symbolizes God’s eternity and lasting hope,” said Dr Fr Michael in his sermon.
Mathias from Vijayanagar explained, “We believe Jesus is the light of the world, and he brings light into this world, so as we go through the four Sundays representing hope love joy and peace. We have the golden opportunity to increase my hope and trust in the giver of Divine light the Jesus Christ.” They added that Advent is a grace filled and spiritual journey and hope is essential to fighting covid-19.
Monica Sebastian from Red Church said, “the Advent season is a beautiful reminder to prepare our hearts as we prepare our homes to celebrate the birth of our saviour, Jesus!”
She feels invited to meet Jesus during advent and looks forward to Christmas. “For in the Bible we read (Hebrews 4:16) tells us, ‘to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need’,” Sebastian said.
She prayed and felt confident that lord will heal us from coronavirus pandemic soon.
Sr Ganga Rawat said, “This Advent season is allotted time by the Church for its faithful to move deeper into contemplation and the love of God. We are called to wait, to hope, to trust in God.”
She added that as Christians take the Advent journey in faith, they invite God’s light to dispel the darkness of COVID -19 from the earth. “I sincerely pray for the grace to let go of fears or anxiety that we carry in our hearts as we search for the light, because our hope comes from God,” Rawat said.
Due to COVID - 19, only limited numbers of worshipers were able to attend the morning prayer services in Indore city. Those who couldn't come to church took part in online service provided by Atmadarshan TV Indore.
The season of Advent for Christians begins four Sundays before Christmas Day, and ends on Christmas Eve.
Four Candles representing four virtues - Hope, Love, Joy and peace were placed in Advent Wreath in churches. These virtues reflected commonly on each Sunday as the candle is lit.
Advent Wreath was placed before altar and accompanied by sacred hymns and music. The priest sprinkled Holy water and presides over with a short prayer.
Then the assembly sang-Come, O Come, Lord Jesus Come! On the first Sunday of Advent, the priest lit the first of the four candles in the Advent wreath: the candle of Hope.
“The word 'advent' is derived from the Latin 'adventus', meaning 'coming' or 'arrival'. The entire season is marked by a spirit of anticipation and preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Chacko said.
“The entire humanity is in despair and pain due to COVID 19 pandemic. But the Advent wreath of evergreen, shaped in a perfect circle symbolizes God’s eternity and lasting hope,” said Dr Fr Michael in his sermon.
Mathias from Vijayanagar explained, “We believe Jesus is the light of the world, and he brings light into this world, so as we go through the four Sundays representing hope love joy and peace. We have the golden opportunity to increase my hope and trust in the giver of Divine light the Jesus Christ.” They added that Advent is a grace filled and spiritual journey and hope is essential to fighting covid-19.
Monica Sebastian from Red Church said, “the Advent season is a beautiful reminder to prepare our hearts as we prepare our homes to celebrate the birth of our saviour, Jesus!”
She feels invited to meet Jesus during advent and looks forward to Christmas. “For in the Bible we read (Hebrews 4:16) tells us, ‘to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need’,” Sebastian said.
She prayed and felt confident that lord will heal us from coronavirus pandemic soon.
Sr Ganga Rawat said, “This Advent season is allotted time by the Church for its faithful to move deeper into contemplation and the love of God. We are called to wait, to hope, to trust in God.”
She added that as Christians take the Advent journey in faith, they invite God’s light to dispel the darkness of COVID -19 from the earth. “I sincerely pray for the grace to let go of fears or anxiety that we carry in our hearts as we search for the light, because our hope comes from God,” Rawat said.
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