Sunday 28th November – Advent Sunday Read: Jeremiah 33:14-16
A printer friendly version is available at http://www.stranorlar.raphoe.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/28th-November-2021-Advent-Sunday.pdf
Today is a special day in the Church Year – it is the start of the Church Year. We start by preparing for Christmas and marking the four weeks leading to Christmas. This is called Advent. Advent is a time of preparing and praying. It is a time of excitement and joy. It is also a time of patience! Sometimes it feels like Christmas will never get here! In our reading today we hear in the Old Testament what is going to happen – ‘in those days and at that time…he will be called our righteous saviour.’ Long ago, before Jesus was born people called prophets began to tell people what was going to happen – when the time is right, a Saviour would be born. Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of the birth of a Saviour!
Watch:
Why do we use a wreath to mark advent? What does the first week or Advent represent? What did the people of the Old Testament hope for? What does Jeremiah tell us will happen?
Do:
Make an Advent Wreath –
Prayer Activity from video – on a square of paper write a hope you have. Fold each corner of the paper into the centre. Place the hope in a bowl of water and watch as slowly your hope will be revealed. Take turns to do this and thank God he is the God of hope.
Colouring Page – https://cdn.www.ministry-to-children.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/11/Christmas-Coloring-pages-hope.pdf
Pray:
Heavenly Father, through this season of Advent, we prepare for our Christmas celebrations of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ.
In all the bust times help us to see the importance of your love for us. Show us new ways to share the message of your love for all people. We pray this in the name of Jesus, whose coming we eagerly await. Amen. (taken from Praying Together)
Father in heaven watch over our loved ones.
Keep them by your side.
May they be safe and peaceful, in you may they abide.
Give wisdom to the doctors and nurses too we pray,
renew their strength and bless them for the work they do each day. Send healing and restoration and let them feel your love.
May your Holy Spirit give them rest as gentle as a dove. Amen (Taken from Praying Together)
Share – Advent allows us to take time to prepare for Christmas – take 5 minutes each day to read part of the Christmas Story. Share what you learn with others.