Season of Advent
Advent is the four-week season before Christmas during which we prepare for the coming of Christ. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope, which has a twofold character as:
- A time of preparation for the Solemnities of the Christmas season, in which the first coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered; and,
- A time when – by remembrance of this – our minds and hearts look forward to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
Our digital Advent calendar is a helpful resource for our ‘journey’ towards Christmas. Each day, by clicking on a virtual door, we are inviting you to take a few minutes to avail of our resources to rediscover the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
Advent reflection from Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together
1. For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the religious life; especially within our diocese/parish.
2. For all who await God’s blessing; that God’s comforting and strengthening
love will sustain them.
3. Prayers for Those Away From Home
Loving God,
We pray for those whom we love
But who are absent from us.
Keep them safe from all harm, evil and danger.
Bless them with peace, laughter, wisdom, love and joy.
Grant that we may be reunited in the fullness of love;
In Christ’s name we pray.
AMEN
Kids’ Corner!
Each day of Advent you will find fun activities for children to enjoy and learn more about the Season of Advent! Print out the activity below and colour it in however you like.
To print: click on the link below to open a new page, then select “print” to print out the page for colouring.
Read the story of the Birth of Jesus from St. Luke’s Gospel 2: 1 – 7
“At this time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. Everyone, then, went to register himself each to his own hometown. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went
there because he was a descendant of David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant and
while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger
– there was no room for them to stay in the inn.”
Some questions on the passage of scripture:
– How do you think Joseph felt when they got to Bethlehem and there was no room for them in the inn?
– How do you think Mary felt when she had her baby?
– If you lived in Bethlehem at that time and saw this young couple without any place to stay – what would you have done?