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Against all odds, more than 2,000 years ago, a humble young couple set out on a difficult journey. Mary, carrying within her the Savior of the world, and Joseph, faithfully protecting both Mother and Child, walked mile after mile to Bethlehem, trusting entirely in God’s providence. This simple yet extraordinary journey changed the course of history.
The Good News of the birth of Jesus Christ remains just as vital today as it was that holy night. As the Church invites us into the season of Advent, we too are called to a journey—not of miles, but of the heart. Advent is a sacred time of preparation, watchfulness, and hope. It is the Church’s great reminder that Christ comes to us: in history at Bethlehem, in mystery through the Sacraments, and in majesty at the end of time.
Just as Mary and Joseph prepared a place for Jesus, we are invited to prepare room in our hearts for Him. We do this through prayer, repentance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, meditating on Sacred Scripture, and renewing our commitment to love God and neighbor. In these simple but powerful acts, we make our hearts a manger where Christ Himself can dwell.
And as we journey together toward Christmas, we remember that faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves. In this season of giving, consider offering someone you love a gift that is truly priceless—an invitation to encounter Christ. Invite a friend, a neighbor, or a family member to Mass. Encourage them to join us on this spiritual journey of hope and preparation.
By extending this invitation, your own journey will be enriched, for the joy of sharing Christ multiplies in the giving. And for the person you invite, this may be a gift of eternal significance—a moment of grace that opens the door to faith, healing, or renewal.
May we, like Mary and Joseph, walk in trust. May we prepare well. And may our hearts, our families, and our community be ready to receive the Lord who comes to save us.
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JOURNEY THROUGH ADVENT
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1st Sunday of Advent
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2nd Sunday of Advent
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Third Sunday of Advent
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
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Christmas Message
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ADVENT ideas FOR ADULTS & FAMILIES
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Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, both into a manger and into our hearts anew. While we typically think of Advent as a joyous season, it is also meant to be a period of preparation... perparation for the arrival of Jesus. How are you preparing?
Maybe you've already decorated for Christmas. Awesome. Beyond decorating though, how can we prepare our hearts and home for the coming of Christ? We've got a few ideas on this page just for you and your family.
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Wreath, Candles, colours & light
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The Advent wreath has been a part of Catholic tradition since the 1600’s. Prior to this, candles and wreaths were used during December as a sign of hope in the future. The wreath can be made of different types of evergreens, each representing life.
A wreath without end
The wreath is generally made into a circle, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
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More than a candle
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
The light of the world
The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some traditions include a white candle be placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Historically the appropriate candle of the advent wreath was lit at dinner on Sunday after grace was said. Each week adding another candle till all four are lit ending with the last Sunday before Christmas.
Adapted in part from: Saunders, Rev. William. “The History of the Advent Wreath.” Arlington Catholic Herald.
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Week 1: HopEpurple
God let your blessing come upon us as we light this wreath. May it turn our hearts to you in the days ahead. Grant us the hope, peace and joy and love we long for, as we await the coming of your Son with patient hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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WEEK 2: peacePURPLE
God, as we light our second candle, we place our trust in you, just as Mary did.
Open my heart, let me be your servant, lead me where you desire. Help me to be an instrument of peace.
Mary, teach us to trust in God has you have. Let us do what sometimes seems unthinkable and impossible in this world. Let us be humble and to accept without always understanding why or how. Amen.
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WEEK 3: joyPink
O God, prepare our hearts as we light the second candle, remove any sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope the coming of Christ brings. Help us to proclaim the words that Mary said, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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week 4: Love & FaithPurple
O God, as we light the third candle, open our hearts to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. Guide us in your ways of compassion so that we may extend your love and mercy to all people. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Eternal Word, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Christmas eve or christmas Day: White candle
(If you can, before you open your Christmas presents)
Let me just for a moment, Lord, hold this time in our hearts. Help us to remember the immense love you have for each of us in this room and for all those who cannot be with us. With each gift that is opened, no matter how perfect or not, let me feel again the many ways you gift us each day, especially with your presence in our hearts and the presence of each other in our lives. Amen.
Christmas is not an end to Advent, it is a beginning. A beginning of a new season, a new journey in our hearts with Christ.
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