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Welcome to our Digital Advent Wreath

As we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, we take the time to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world, especially those living in situations of conflict and war.

For each Sunday of Advent, as you light a candle on your Advent Wreath, we have produced a short reflection, and a prayer from voices around world. These can be read out in your church service, or used for your own personal reflection. 
 

The first Sunday of Advent

Daniel Ayuen works as a Coordinator for Smile Again Africa Development Association in South Sudan. Being born and raised a refugee in Kakuma refugee camp, his personal experience had a huge impact on why he chose to work in the area of disaster relief.

I understand their stories and their problems because I’ve lived these problems myself. Having been born a refugee also influenced my job, in the humanitarian sector. [I chose this] because I felt that at one point in time, I got the help that I clearly needed. And I got this help from people I don’t even know. I don’t know their names. I don’t know what they look like. And their generous contribution helped me to be what I am today.

- Daniel.
Image credits and information i
Credit: David Macharia/Christian Aid
Daniel wearing his SAADO uniform.

It feels linked to me that I have a duty to also give back. And by serving, maybe coming into this work also helps me to repay and to give back so that also stories like mine can be told in different parts of the world: that at one point someone got help and was able to give back to the world to help make this world a better place.

A prayer of hope

God, as we begin our preparations for the birth of Your Son, Jesus, this Christmas, we are deeply aware of the hopelessness our world faces due to ongoing conflicts.  

Yet, our hope lies in Christ, who is coming to renew our world.  

May You fill our hearts with hope for an end to conflicts, such as those in South Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

Empower us to work towards realizing a world where peace reigns and hope is restored.  

May the work of Christian Aid and its partners in conflict zones continue bringing hope to many who need it. 

 
Collect: 
God of hope, strengthen our hearts to act in service of those living with despair. 

Amen

Written by Christian Aid colleague Batanai Padiya.

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The second Sunday of Advent

Amani and her family were forced to leave their home in Sudan following the outbreak of war. Amani’s skill in farming and cooking has enabled her to set up a small restaurant and settle into the camps’ infrastructure, but her young family is still traumatised by the violence they witnessed.

We were exposed in the area where most fighting took place. We are in the middle of the fighting between the two sides. We have faced many hardships. Past situations and pains have not been forgotten. As for my little son Badu, he imitates the sounds of the big guns all the time.  I have hope that there will be peace and we will return back to our country. This is our hope because we left all our relatives behind.

Image credits and information i
Amani feeds watermelon to her 3-year-old son Badu. This is watermelon she has grown on the farm plot she rented, from the profit from her food stall. Credit: David Macharia
Amani feeds watermelon to her 3-year-old son Badu. This is watermelon she has grown on the farm plot she rented, from the profit from her food stall.

A prayer for peace

God of peace-making, peace-building, peace-restoring  

As we remember those for whom peace is a far-off memory  

Whose daily bread is conflict, uncertainty and fear  

Grant that we who have safe beds and secure homes  

Would also have the courage not just to speak peace, to keep peace  

But to build peace, wherever we are.   

   

Collect: 
God of peace, strengthen our hearts to act in service of those living through violence and conflict.

Amen

Written by Christian Aid Scotland colleague Charlie Meiklejohn.

The third Sunday of Advent

This week's prayer will be available on Tuesday 10 December.

The fourth Sunday of Advent

This week's prayer will be available on Tuesday 17 December.

The fifth Sunday of Advent

This week's prayer will be available on Tuesday 23 December.

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