Day 20: Friday 20 December 2024

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 Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford & Lismore & Chairman of the Council for Vocations

 

Advent Prayers

Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together 

1. We pray for our Church;
that it will preach faith to all nations
in honour of Jesus’ name.

2. We pray for those who are travelling
at this time of year;
that they will arrive safely
to their destination.

An Advent Family Prayer
Loving God,
as your light grows in the dark of winter,
brings its gifts of hope, peace, joy and love to our world.
Just as you sent the star of Bethlehem to lead the way to your Son,
guide us to follow your ways of justice and peace.
As we remember the journey of Mary and Joseph,
may the Holy Family be a source of courage for our family,
inspiring us to read out in friendship to all those in need.
Help us to see in the Christ child this Christmas
the one who came to end all divisions.
And may the Lord bless us
and keep us safe today and always.

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 this Christmas card and colour it in however you like to give it to someone special!

To print: click on the link below to open a new page, then select “print” to print out the page for colouring.

Activity for day 20

Special child’s prayer for peace at Christmas

God our Father,
lover of all nations, we pray for peace:
peace in our hearts and in our homes,
peace among nations and in our world.
Amen