1. Prayers for the week 17-20 December 2018
Prayer theme: Joy in Advent The third Sunday of Advent is rose (pink) because pink symbolizes joy, the joy that Jesus is almost here. When parents get ready to bring a new baby home, they typically paint the baby’s room pink or blue. They do this out of joy for to baby’s arrival. In the same way, we light a pink candle to represent the joy we feel to welcome Jesus in Christmas.

2. Monday 17 December
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah: Shout for joy! Sing joyfully! Be glad and exult with all your heart. The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned your enemies away; the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty saviour; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you, as one does at festivals.
How does it make you feel hearing that God dances with shouts of joy for you?

3. Monday 17 December

4. Tuesday 18 December
Dear God, the birthday of your son, Jesus, was a day of eternal joy in heaven. Thank you for our birthdays too. When other celebrate our birthdays, we’re reminded we’re an important part of your creation. Help us respect ourselves as your special creations and honour others on their special days. Thank you for Christmas Day, when we can celebrate Jesus’ birth, the most special birthday of all. Amen.

5. Tuesday 18 December
Christmas is the happiest time of the year for so many but
the loneliest for so many too.
We pray for all those for who Christmas is a difficult time.
Let this not be a time for them to compare themselves to what others have, but to know that you are with them in their hurt. Heal their wounds and fill the loneliness.
We pray this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Idea: Reach out to someone for who Christmas is not a happy time.

6. Take a moment to give thanks for all those you love and who love you.
Wednesday 19 December
In the midst of the business of preparing for Christmas and shopping for gifts. Remember that Love is the biggest gift of all.
Take a moment to give thanks for all those you love and who love you.
Loving God, you love us so much you chose to be born among us, sharing in every aspect of human life form your birth to death on the cross. Help us to always remember this most amazing gift from you to us. Amen.

7. Wednesday 19 December
On Christmas we remember the great mystery of the incarnation, that you loved the world so much that you sent your Son to be one of us, born not in a palace or even a comfortable home, but in the place where they kept animals, in the muck and smell. This humble beginning tells us that you are not a God of power, not a God of show and pretence, but a quiet God who enters history with no ceremony. There were a few visitors: the lowly ones, the shepherds, the wise men and their gifts. They can stand in for all of us, the human race.
Gathered around the manger, with our hopes and fears, with our heartfelt prayers for peace: peace in our hearts, in our homes, in the places on earth destroyed by war and violence.
As we kneel before the God of the universe held tightly in the arms of Mary, his mother and ours, we pray for our fragile world, that in this vulnerable child we will find our joy, our light in the darkness, our dignity as human beings, our common cause, our hope. Amen.

8. Thursday 20 December

9. Afternoon Prayer and Reflection
Lord
Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen
Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today…………
Let us ask Mary, our Mother, to join us in our prayers as we say:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
We end our reflection with a prayer inspired by our foundress followed by the school prayer:
Loving Father, life-giving spirit – Marie Madeleine believed in your power, hoped in your promises and lived for your glory. We ask her to pray for us and be with us as we carry the FCJ spirit into the 21st century. Protect and guide the pupils and staff at Upton and at all FCJ schools in this country and around the world. Amen
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen