Objective Understanding the meaning of Advent and discovering

Objective: Understanding the meaning of Advent and discovering Catholic Advent traditions. Season of Advent

What is Advent? / Advent. Videos

Opening Prayer • Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me. • Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you. • Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today. • Amen

What is Advent? Advent

A Time To Prepare �The word "Advent" comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "coming. " �It is a time for quiet reflection, prayer and conversion in anticipation of the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. �The readings and the liturgies during Advent prepare us for the birth of Jesus, but they also prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world.

A New Beginning �Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. It ends at sundown on Christmas Eve. Advent can range from 22 days to 28 days, depending on what day Christmas falls. �Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. The liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

How to Prepare �There are no longer any "official" days of fast or abstinence during Advent. �Catholics are encouraged to prepare themselves spiritually during Advent with voluntary acts of prayer, fasting, penance and almsgiving.

What are some Advent Traditions? Advent Traditions

Advent Wreath � There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warmth and light of Spring. � By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. � By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath. � The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath symbolize life and resurrection.

What Do the Colors Signify? �The purple is a symbol of royalty that anticipates the coming birth of Jesus. �It also reflects a spirit of penitence and the need to prepare our hearts. �Pink is a secondary Advent color that symbolizes the joy of the season. �The evergreens in the Advent wreath signify eternal life that comes to us through Jesus.

Advent Calendar � The Advent calendar started in Germany during the 1800 s. Families drew a chalk line or lit a candle every night to mark the days until Christmas. � Gerhard Lang produced the first printed Advent calendar, which contained small pictures that could be glued to a piece of cardboard each day. � Over time, Advent calendars became more sophisticated with little doors that contained candy or a Bible verse. � During World War II, the production of Advent calendars was halted in Germany. After the war, the custom spread to the United States.

Posadas � Posadas, a word that means "shelter" or "lodging, " is an Advent custom in Mexico. It re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. � The Posadas takes place over nine days, Dec. 16 -24, which symbolizes the The origin of Posadas is attributed to St. John of the Cross (1542 -1591) in Spain. Missionary nine months of Mary's pregnancy. priests brought the custom to Mexico. People go from house to house seeking lodging, but the "innkeepers" refuse to let them stay. � On Christmas Eve, the travelers are finally welcomed at the last house where they celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Nativity Scene � Today's families can adapt the tradition of Posadas using the figures from their Nativity Scene or Crèche to re-enact Mary and Joseph's journey to the stable in Bethlehem. � Start with an empty stable. Place the figures of Mary and Joseph on the other side of the room and move them closer to the crèche each day. � On Christmas Eve, add Baby Jesus, the angels and the shepherds. Then let the Wise Men begin their journey to the crèche so they arrive on the feast of the Epiphany.

Honor Mary �December 8 commemorates the day that Mary was conceived without sin. �The Feast of the Immaculate Conception honoring Mary, the Mother of God, celebrates one of the most important events in salvation history. �Who besides God has been able to choose their own mother? The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Catholic Church maintaining that from the moment when she was conceived, the Blessed Virgin Mary was kept free of original and was filled with the sanctifying grace normally conferred during baptism.

Celebrate the Saints � St. Ambrose, a doctor of the Church, was known for leaving his door open to listen to the needs of the poor. Feast day: Dec. 7 � St. Lucy (d. 304), virgin martyr, was tortured for choosing Christian devotion over the advances of a Roman soldier. Her name means light. Feast day: Dec. 13 � St. John of the Cross, the great mystic, endeavored to devote his life to Christ in all of his works and writings. Feast day: Dec. 14

Advent in 2 Minutes / St. Nicholas Videos

Who is St. Nicholas? � Nicholas, a Greek, was born during the third century in the village of Patara (modern day Turkey). � His wealthy parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. � Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. � He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. � Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Saint Nicholas helps us remember Christmas is a feast of love, hope, kindness and generosity.

Patron of Many Causes �Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of more causes than any other saint: Children Sailors and ships Prisoners and wrongly accused Young women seeking marriage �One of the most popular saints of all time �Feast Day: December 6

Hang A Stocking for St. Nick � This custom originated in Europe and is still popular there today. � On the evening of December 5, children fill their shoes with pieces of a carrot or bits of hay for St. Nicholas’ white horse or donkey. � The shoes are placed outside their bedroom doors or on the hearth for St. Nicholas to leave a candy treat. � In America, the custom is to hang stockings by the fireplace. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Gifts of St. Nicholas � Orange or tangerine in the toe of filled Christmas stockings The gold Nicholas threw to provide the dowry money is often shown as gold balls. These are symbolized by oranges or even apples. So the orange in the toe of the stocking is a reminder of Nicholas' gift. � Candy Canes These are really candy croziers, one of St. Nicholas' symbols. All bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people. � Gift-giving in secret, during the night Stockings are filled while children are sleeping. Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God. � Seasonal concern for the needy St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable. Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything in return.

An Advent Saint � St. Nicholas is an Advent saint because his feast day, December 6 th, always falls in early Advent. � Nicholas is a good Advent saint for more important reasons than the date of his feast day. � Nicholas became so popular because he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God's love to others, especially those in need. St. Nicholas, give me the spirit of giving. Teach me that it really is more blessed to give than to receive.

Follow St. Nick’s Example �‘Keep it simple!' Keep it simple enough to fit in a shoe or a stocking. �Write a note and give the gift of time. ‘The gift I give to you is half an hour of quality conversation each night right after the dishes are done. ' Or, ‘The gift I give to you is one Saturday a month to be with you and do whatever you want to do. ' Come, St. Nicholas, patron of shoppers and gift-seekers, and make Christmas this year fun, creative and love-filled.

Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap. (Luke 21: 34) Verse of the Day

Announcements Dec 8 (Saturday)……Immaculate Conception – Holy Day Dec 9 & 12…………. . . Mary Magdalene Dec 16 & 19…………. . No PSR – Christmas Break Dec 23 & 26…………. No PSR – Christmas Break Dec 25 (Tuesday)……Christmas – Holy Day Dec 30 & Jan 2……. . . No PSR – Christmas Break Jan 1 (Tuesday)……. . . Solemnity of Mary – Holy Day January 6 & 9………. . PSR Resumes

Place your gift in one shoe Put the shoe in the hallway outside of your classroom Go to your room for Small Groups Gift Exchange

Go to your rooms for Small Group. Return to this room for closing reflection at 7: 45. Small Groups

Title Video

Question? Think About It

Prayer Petitions � Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards. We pray to the Lord. R: Lord, hear our prayer � Give me, O Lord, an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out. We Pray to the Lord. R: Lord, hear our prayer � Give me, O Lord, an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. We Pray to the Lord. R: Lord, hear our prayer � Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, understanding to know you. We Pray to the Lord R: Lord, hear our prayer � Grant me, O Lord, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you. We Pray to the Lord. R: Lord, hear our prayer

Closing Prayer Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen