This study guide was put together prior to the terrorist activity afflicting the Jewish Community of Bondi North, Sydney, on 14th December. Chanukkah, a festival of joy, became a moment in history where ideology masquerading as faithfulness sought to bring as much pain as possible on a day when Christians were also celebrating the Joy of God’s presence.
The Advent message remains one of light and hope. Today, we explore the interruption in light of the mourning of the people of faith in Bondi, and our sisters and brothers of all Abrahamic Faiths.
In a world often gripped by fear and uncertainty, we illuminate the profound mystery of Advent’s fourth candle – Love – weaving together the stories of King Ahaz, Joseph, and the “doubting” Thomas to reveal God’s transformative presence among us.
Through Isaiah’s ancient prophecy of Emmanuel and Matthew’s account of Joseph’s faithful response to the divine dream, we witness love taking flesh in the most unexpected ways.
These biblical narratives to our present moment, reminding us that God’s love isn’t a distant concept but a living reality that continues to manifest in our community, beautifully exemplified through the six-decade-long ministry of faithful servants like Fr Jim Reeves and Fr Michael Fox.
By the serene waters of Gippsland Lakes, where horizon meets heart, we’re challenged to recognise that Advent love isn’t passive but incarnational – calling us, like Joseph and Thomas, to move beyond our doubts and fears to embrace God’s presence in tangible ways.
As we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, we’re urged to let this divine love take flesh in our own lives, transforming our service, compassion, and faith into living testimonies of Emmanuel – God with us.
We pray for those disturbed by acts of terror.
We pray for those whose lives have been taken by others who choose to kill as a sign of fidelity.
O Oriens,
Radiance of eternal Light,
Sun of righteousness,
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.Where hearts are heavy and hopes grow thin,
rise upon us.
Where nations strain toward peace,
dawn among us.
Where the weary wait for morning,
be our light.As blessing once flowed from Aaron—
down beard and robe,
binding the tribes in one calling—
let your light now fall upon all peoples,
gathering what is scattered,
healing what is divided,
and warming the cold places of the world.Turn our faces toward the coming day.
Teach us to walk as children of the dawn,
until night yields to joy
and all creation lives in your light.Come, O Dayspring.
Do not delay. Amen.
We pray for the person whose ideals are fed by evil and false narratives
We pray for the peace that passes all understanding, in our hearts, mind, soul and strength, the very place we are asked to love our Creator and all people.
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