Welcome to Day 8 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
Today is the Second Sunday 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.
A video message from Father Timothy Bartlett, PP, St May’s, Belfast
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intention for the Day to Pray Together is an Advent Prayer for Peace in our World #PeaceonEarth
As we approach Christmas, the time when we celebrate the coming of Christ into our world we pray for peace for those in conflict anywhere in the world. At this time of year we pray especially for all Christians around the world who are persecuted and murdered because of their faith.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(Prayer of Saint Francis)
Lighting the Second Candle on the Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is a reminder that we are preparing to celebrate the coming of Jesus. The light of the world in darkest winter. There are four candles at the centre. The four candles represent the four Sundays of Advent. During the first week of Advent, we light one candle, on the second Sunday, the second candle etc.
Like the wedding ring, the circle is a sign of god’s love, which includes all of us. The evergreens point to God’s unchanging love, constant in every time and season and mood.
There are three purple candles. Purple is the Advent colour for repentance and change of heart in preparation for the coming of Christ into our hearts and lives.
There is also a Pink or ‘Rose’ candle which is lit on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), when the joy of the forthcoming Christmas event is celebrated.
The white candle in the centre is the Christmas candle. This is lit on Christmas Eve to herald the birth of Jesus.
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 snowy landscape and colour it in however you like!
To print: click on the image below to open a new page, then select “print” to print out the page for colouring.
