Prophecy Candle

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope.  It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. 

Scripture for Reflection

Wisdom 2: 12-20

 "Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training.  He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange.  We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God's son, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected." 

Family Prayer for Wisdom

God our Father, you gave wisdom to the prophets to help the Israelites prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  Bestow wisdom upon our family as we prepare for the birth of you Son, Jesus Christ, and for the day on which He will return. We invite you to be with us today as an inspiration to love each other and see your Son in each other. Give us the grace to stay focused on the importance of belonging to this family and treating one another with love and dignity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and may the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.