Christ, Candle of Hope

God, our loving Father, you sent your Son,

Jesus Christ, into this world to counter

all the forces of evil: sin, suffering and death,

and to overcome evil with the force of good;

hatred with the power of love,

your great love for us in Jesus.

Help us never to curse the darkness,

but to join with you in bringing

Your light into this world,

the light that is your Son,

born of the Virgin Mary, in Bethlehem.

Help us to be instruments of your light

and love by doing one special act of kindness

or by being your special instrument

of reconciliation this New Year.

May the Christ Candle we light symbolize

our desire to bring light into a world of darkness

and hope into a world of despair.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.