Advent means ‘arrival’ or‘presence’. In the season of Advent we prepare to celebrate not only Jesus’ birth but his presence in the family, in the love we share. We recall the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope. We await the coming of the light that will shine in the darkness, shining light on our path of peace.
ADVENT WREATH
There are many ways to create an Advent Wreath, the ones we made at our Advent Day were circles of MDF with 4 holes drilled in it large enough to hold the candles. This was then wrapped in green crepe paper and clad with holly and other long lasting greenery by securing it with florists wire. The the four candles (three purple and one pink) were secured in the holes.
Suggestions for using the Advent wreath
Place the wreath on the table and gather the family around it once a week, perhaps before or after a Sunday meal together.
Light a candle on each Sunday, saying a short prayer like this:
“Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings us into the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
or singing a verse of “O Come, O Come Emanuel” and/ or reading a passage from the bible such as Isaiah 11:1-4,61:1-2; Mark 1:1-8; James 5:7-10 or Philippians 4 :4-7.
The second week light two purple candles.
The third week light two purple candles and the pink candle. (The third Sunday is Gaudate or rejoicing Sunday.)
The last week light all four candles. You may like to light a white candle in the centre of the wreath on Christmas day.
Suggestions for using the Advent wreath
Place the wreath on the table and gather the family around it once a week, perhaps before or after a Sunday meal together.
Light a candle on each Sunday, saying a short prayer like this:
“Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings us into the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
or singing a verse of “O Come, O Come Emanuel” and/ or reading a passage from the bible such as Isaiah 11:1-4,61:1-2; Mark 1:1-8; James 5:7-10 or Philippians 4 :4-7.
The second week light two purple candles.
The third week light two purple candles and the pink candle. (The third Sunday is Gaudate or rejoicing Sunday.)
The last week light all four candles. You may like to light a white candle in the centre of the wreath on Christmas day.
ADVENT PAPER CHAIN
Follow the link below to find the printable version of this. Each link has an idea for helping others or doing a kind deed for someone each day. - Start at the purple end (the white link is for Christmas Day). Tear off one link each day and try to carry out the suggestion printed on it.
To find the printable version follow http://catholicmom.com/advent_kids.htm
To find the printable version follow http://catholicmom.com/advent_kids.htm
CHRISTMAS BISCUITS
A simple recipe for biscuits
150g Plain flour
100g margarine
50g caster sugar
150g Plain flour
100g margarine
50g caster sugar
- Heat oven to 180c, gas 4
- Cream margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Fold in the flour
- Pull together and knead gently
- Roll out on a lightly floured board and cut shapes using a star shaped citter or any other festive shape.
- Place on a baking tray
- Bake in the oven until slightly golden. The biscuits will be still be soft when removed from the oven.
- Place on a wire tray to cool
- Decorate with icing, sweets etc to make your biscuits especially festive.
SETTING UP YOUR CRIB
When setting up your crib this year, why not try to make it a representation of the Nativity story.
Make sure there is no one in the stable, except the animals, until Christmas Eve.
Have Mary and Joseph journey through the house from a nearby point, say from the hall to the living room, if that is where you set up your crib. Move them a little nearer to the crib each day but make sure they don’t arrive at the stable until Christmas Eve.
You could also have the shepherds elsewhere in the house until Christmas Day when they arrive to visit Baby Jesus.
Have the Kings journey through your house from the farthest point in the house you can. Again move them a little closer each day, but don’t forget they don’t arrive at the stable to adore Jesus until Epiphany (6th January).
Place baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Day.
You could make a little ceremony out of this and let the youngest child in the house place Jesus in the manger whilst singing an appropriate carol, eg. Away in a Manger.
Make sure there is no one in the stable, except the animals, until Christmas Eve.
Have Mary and Joseph journey through the house from a nearby point, say from the hall to the living room, if that is where you set up your crib. Move them a little nearer to the crib each day but make sure they don’t arrive at the stable until Christmas Eve.
You could also have the shepherds elsewhere in the house until Christmas Day when they arrive to visit Baby Jesus.
Have the Kings journey through your house from the farthest point in the house you can. Again move them a little closer each day, but don’t forget they don’t arrive at the stable to adore Jesus until Epiphany (6th January).
Place baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Day.
You could make a little ceremony out of this and let the youngest child in the house place Jesus in the manger whilst singing an appropriate carol, eg. Away in a Manger.
