Term 4 Week 40
advent
2 December 
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 
YEAR C   
MONDAY 3 December 
Saint Francis Xavier 
TUESDAY 4 December 
   Saint John Damascene 
THURSDAY 6 December 
   Saint Nicholas 
FRIDAY 7 December 
Saint Ambrose 
SATURDAY 8 December 
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 
2 - 8 DECEMBER
ADVENT 
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Years 7 to 10 Prayer Library
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1ST Sunday OF ADVENT 
2nd december
​
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
LUKE 21:25-28, 34-36
The Church begins its new liturgical year with a season of hope. Advent time – when we look forward to the celebration of the birth of the world’s Saviour – has produced liturgies filled with joy and expectation.
Gospel Reflection 
​Image: attributed to  Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/hope-word-letters-scrabble-1804595/

Monday
3rd december
St francis xavier
The Tradition of the Jesse Tree  
Jesse Trees are a very old Christmas Tradition and first started in medieval times. They are used to help tell the story of the Bible from creation to the Christmas Story. 
The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of the great Jewish King David.  
Jesse Tree

It is also the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier who was a missionary and companion of St Ignatius of Loyola 
Image: This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or less. United States public domain tag to indicate why this work is in the public domain in the United States.

Tuesday
4th december
 Advent in 2 Minutes 
Advent in 2 Minutes
A quick, two-minute video that explains why Catholics celebrate Advent and wait to celebrate Christmas. Discuss key messages and talk about ways that Advent is celebrated in the parish and the Archdiocese. Reflect on the question “what can I do to during Advent to prepare my inner self for Christmas?” 
Image: attributed to Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/advent-advent-candles-1883840/

Wednesday
5th DECEMBER
Prayer Braids (Class or Individual) 
Take 3 strips of ribbon or fabric; one to represent you, one to represent others who have walked with you this year and one to represent God.  
  • Hold them together and tie a knot in one end.  
  • Slowly start to braid the three pieces and as you do, pray. 
  • Give thanks for how others (teachers, parents and family, friends) have been a part of your life and helped you to grow. 
  • Give thanks for how God has helped you to do great things this year. 
  • Give thanks for your gifts and the person you are.   
  • When you have finished the braid, knot the end and place it in the sacred space. 
  • Take with you as a prayer reminder of 2018.​ 
  • Image: attributed to Pixabay
  • https://pixabay.com/en/background-wood-brown-deco-1776060/

Thursday
6th december
st nicholas
Saint Nicholas 
Today marks the feast day of St Nicholas.  How did the kindly Christian saint, good Bishop Nicholas, become a roly-poly red-suited American symbol for merry holiday festivity and commercial activity? History tells the tale.  
 
Advent Ideas   
Create an Advent Tree of Kindness 
Create an Advent wreath with four candles representing the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Downloads handouts and adapt for family preparation for Christmas.   
Listen to the message in these Advent songs or Christmas Carols  
Image: attributed to Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/advent-candles-advent-wreath-bokeh-3800433/

Friday
7th DECEMBER
​St ambrose
The Brightness of Christmas 
The people who walked in darkness  
Have seen a great light; 
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness  On them light has shined. 
(Isaiah 9:2)
Take the time to wish your class mates best wishes and safe travel over the festive season. Perhaps first pass your best wishes on to the person you would speak to last. it will make a difference to you and the other person.  A lovely gift. 

It is also the Feast day of Saint Ambrose
Image: attributed to Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/photos/advent/