Day 21: Saturday 23 December 2023

Welcome to Day 21 of our Advent Calendar!

During the 22 days of Advent, new content will be available each day behind the calendar’s doors. 

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 Message from Bishop Kevin Doran, Diocese of Elphin

 

Advent Prayers

Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together 

1. For all priests;
that their words and deeds may provide an example
of faithful discipleship and
be a source of encouragement to others.

2. For all our relatives and friends who have died;
that they may become one with Christ
in the kingdom of heaven.

multiple candlesThe Meaning in the Shadows
This little child, his words, his life and his death,
is God communicating to you how much you are loved. This little child reveals a God whose love for you is so great that neither your mind nor even your unlimited imagination, can grasp how much you are loved. This little child reveals a love which from the moment you were created, is God’s gift to you for life and for eternity. 

Father Peter McVerry SJ The Meaning in the Shadows, Veritas,2003.

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 page 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.

Activity for day 21