Over 900 years in the
service of God
and the
Community
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Lighting a candle does
not replace prayer, but can be a visible sign of our prayer. Prayer is not simply sending our shopping
list of wishes to God; it is making the effort to focus our wishes in such a
way that they are open to the possibility of God’s will for us. It allows us to accept that will when we
do come to know it. As Christ
himself prayed just before his betrayal and crucifixion: ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let
this cup pass from me: never the less not as I will, but as Thou will.’
Lighting
a candle can also be a sign of welcome.
We light the Advent candle to show our welcome for Christ’s arrival
here on earth at Christmas; in some countries a lighted candle is placed in
the window as a sign of welcome to strangers. We pray that we, like Saint Martin of Tours himself, can show
a welcome to all those whom we meet, no matter how poor or unlike us they
seem, because we recognise Christ in each of them.
On behalf of Saint Martin’s
church, Guston, we welcome you and pray that, what ever it is that has
brought you here today, you may find that peace which the world cannot give,
which can only come from God and which we cannot understand, but only come to
know.
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