Advent Wreath Blessing

JOIN US Advent Wreath Blessing Let us celebrate the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ NOVEMBER 30TH, 2020 | 8:10 AM ZOOM

Let Us Prepare JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION Advent starts on Sunday, November 29th, a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us on Monday, November 30th at 8:10 am, in our traditional Advent Wreath Blessing. Advent is a wonderful season that gives us the opportunity to spend time with our family, planning all kind of activities, it is the best way to strengthen our faith and our family. Remember to have your Advent Wreaths ready for this day and join us in this beautiful celebration to prepare for the birth of Jesus. After the ceremony, and school is over, have a meal ready for your family. Plan and start cooking a day ahead so everyone helps out. This is a wonderful moment to share with your loved ones. In this booklet you will find the prayers to be said on Sundays when you light your candles.

Advent It is a time of joyful waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Advent starts on the Sunday closest to November 30th and covers 4 Sundays. Advent has been observed since the fourth century. The color of Advent is purple. Purple is a color that symbolizes penance or preparation. The word Advent means \"the coming\", it is a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. A beautiful tradition is for families to find quiet moments lighting candles in the Advent Wreath, and children use Advent calendars to count the days until Christmas.

Advent Wreaths Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on wheel shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolizes ongoing life. The candle light gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward to the longer days of spring. Later, Eastern European Christians adopted this practice. By the sixteenth century, they were making Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An Advent Wreath traditionally contains four candles (three purple and one pink). The purple candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth week. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday. Sometimes a fifth candle (white) is placed inside the Wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas Day for the birth of Jesus.

Candles Candle one (purple) represents HOPE. It is often called the prophets’ candle. Candle two (purple) represents PEACE. It is often called the angels’ candle. Candle three (pink) represents JOY. It is often called the shepherds’ candle. Candle four (purple) represents LOVE. It is often called the Bethlehem candle. Many advent wreaths also include a Christ candle in the middle of the wreath.

ADVENT PRAYER ‘What can I give him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, If I were a wiseman, I would do my part, But what I can I give him, give my heart.’ ADVENT POEM Advent is a time to wait, Not quite time to celebrate. Light the Candles one by one, Til the advent time is done. Christmas Day will soon be here, Time for joy and time for cheer. AMEN LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE God, as light comes from this candle,may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us, warming our hearts and brightening our way. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of this world, and to us, as we wait for his coming.

Advent Prayers These prayers are recommended for every Sunday while gathering as a family and lighting your Advent Wreath Candles. BEGINNING PRAYER (For every week) My little Lord Jesus, I love You and thank You for this Advent season. Please help me to understand all that You have done for me. Your loving mother held You in her heart and brought You into this world. Help me to do the same. My loving Jesus, I choose You, this Advent, as my King and my God. Draw me close to You and help me to see my sins so that I can change the things that You want me to change. Mother Mary, pray for me this Advent so that I may do all that God wants me to do. You said “Yes” to all that God asked of you. Please pray for me that I may do the same. Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus, come! I love You, Jesus. Amen.

FIRSTWEEK LEADER: God of Hope, You love and care for us. Fill us with hope as we prepare for Christmas. Help us to prepare our hearts for you and may we recognise the talents you have given each of us and look for ways to be hope for others. In your name we pray, Amen CHILDREN: Jesus, you are light even in the darkest places. Help us to trust in you when we are lost or lonely. Shine hope into our hearts we pray. Amen.

SEC OND WEEK LEADER: Christ our Peace, Glow brightly in each moment. We ask your forgiveness for the times we have not been peaceful people. Guide us in the way of your peace. We await your coming with serenity. Amen CHILDREN: Jesus, you are peace even when there is hatred. Help us to forgive like you when we are hurt or wounded. Bring peace into our hearts we pray. Amen.

THIRD WEEK LEADER: Christ our Joy, Brighten our hearts with your presence. May we see your joy in the hopes and dreams of our sisters and brothers around the world. Help us to spread your light and love. We await your coming with delight. Amen CHILDREN: Jesus, you are joy even in the saddest times. Help us to praise you when we are upset or grieving. Shine joy into our hearts we pray. Amen.

FO URTH WEEK LEADER: Christ our Light, Fill our hearts with your grace. Remind us to look for you in small acts of kindness and love. Help us to share your love with others. We await your coming with wonder Amen CHILDREN: Jesus, you are love even if we are afraid. Help us to pray to you when we are scared or fearful. Bring love into our hearts we pray. Amen.

CHRISTMAS DAY Jesus, you came to be light in our darkness. Jesus, you came to be peace in our conflicts. Jesus, you came to be joy in our sadness, And to bring your love in our fears. Today we celebrate your birth. Thank you for your saving grace. Amen.

Advent Calendars An Advent calendar is a card or poster with twenty four doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture, deed, thought, and sometimes a treat. This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800´s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible. Considered a fun way of counting down the days until Christmas, while having your family together. We invite you to make your own Advent Calendar as a family. It is fun and you get to decide what to place in each door along with the intention of the day in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Advent Calendars Here you will find some ideas on how to put together an Advent Calendar. Print this template and place each intention on your own calendar. Buy some candy, chocolate, or cookies and place them in the different days. Together as a family open each door, discuss the meaning of every thought and take turns on who gets the treat and who opens the door. This is a fun way to prepare for Christmas.

Advent Calendars Here are some ideas for your calendars. Get creative!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR TH E SEASON Get or make and Advent Wreath Bless your Advent Wreath November 30th Set a nativity scene Keep and Advent Calender Have a bithday party for Jesus Get dressed up and act out the Christmas Story