Advent Promises by the Nursery Children
Lesson: Religious education
Class: Miss Wilson - Nursery Year: 2016 - 2017
During the first week of Advent, the Nursery children found out about preparing for Christmas,
how purple is the liturgical colour used and how we pray using an Advent wreath.
We lit the first purple candle on our wreath and asked Jesus and peace into our hearts.
We made promises to share and be more kind, and our messages are now placed on our special Christmas tree.
You can see how we said prayers, sang carols and made our special promises.
The Church teaches us that Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s year.
The word ADVENT comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘a drawing near’. The event that is drawing near is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The four Sundays before Christmas Day are known as the four Sundays of Advent.
This is a time of waiting in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus into the world.
The symbols, prayers and readings of the season help us to reflect on God’s love which is made known in the the wonderful gift of Jesus.
ADVENT SYMBOLS
Each Sunday one candle is lit on the Advent Wreath to mark the time of waiting for Christ’s birthday. The purple candles are a sign that this is a penitential season, when people make an extra effort to be more faithful in prayer and more loving by doing something practical for others, especially those in need.
- Candle one (purple) represents hope. It is often called the prophets' candle.
- Candle two (purple) represents peace. It is often called the angels' candle.
- Candle three (pink) represents joy. It is often called the shepherds' candle.
- Candle four (purple) represents love. It is often called the Bethlehem candle.
Many advent wreaths also include a white Christ candle in the middle of the wreath.
ADVENT PACKS
Thank you for taking turns to share the special Advent prayer packs prepared by Miss Handrick, and for returnng them so promptly. They are a memorable way to begin this festive season.
Let us pray;
Dear God,
we thank you for giving us Jesus to be the light in our darkness.
Bless us as we gather in his name and bless this wreath as a sign of his light among us.
We ask this blessing through Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
from A Book of Blessings,
For further information and ideas, see
http://catholicyouthwork.com/
