Prayer Around the Advent Wreath:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Leader: Come Holy Spirit! In this second week of Advent, we ask You to fill our hearts with peace as we prepare for Christ’s coming.
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
Family member lights the first and second purple advent candles.
Leader: Lord, we ask to receive the peace of Your Holy Spirit throughout this week and especially right now as we pray together as a family. Help us to be peacemakers, sharing Your peace within our home and beyond.
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Help us make room in our hearts; help us clear out all that is not from You, so that the Holy Spirit might fill us with the fruits of eternal life and happiness. As we prepare for Jesus’ coming, let Your peace fill our hearts and minds; let Your peace inform our words, actions, and attitudes.
All: Fill our hearts with hope and peace! Amen.
Table Talk:
The second purple candle is called the “Candle of Peace.” During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and orient ourselves toward Christ’s coming, preparing our hearts to receive Him anew.
- Recall a time when you experienced deep peace. What did it feel like?
- Why is Peace a Fruit of the Spirit? What are the other Fruits of the Spirit? What does that phrase mean? (see Gal. 5:22-23; CCC 736)
- What circumstances “steal” your peace? How can you guard your heart against losing peace?
- St. Augustine (see “From the Catechism,” below), defines peace as “the tranquility of order.” How does peace relate to order? How are we called to better order our lives (time, priorities, treasures)?
From the Catechism: Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Peace is a goal of Christian living, as indicated by Jesus who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” The fifth commandment requires us to persevere and work for peace, which was defined by St. Augustine as “the tranquility of order.” (CCC, Glossary)