The word Advent means coming. The Lord is coming. This is the root of our hope: the certainty that God’s consolation comes to us amidst the troubles of the world. Not a consolation of words, but of His presence among us. – Pope Francis
Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent
s 26:1-6. Ps 117:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27, R/ v 26. Mt 7:21, 24-27.
www.catholicbishops.ie/readings.
It is the upright nation, the faithful people, that will enter the kingdom. To be part of that people each one must hear the word of God and do God’s will.
Audio: Advent Thought for the Day
Each day during Advent we are bringing you an audio Thought for the Day on a different theme. Today’s Thought for the Day is from Father Vincent Sherlock, a priest of the Diocese of Achonry. In this piece Father Vincent reflects on two chance encounters which led him to reflect on how we are facing into this Advent Season. Are we only thinking ‘what’s in it for me?’ or are we open what the true meaning of Christmas is?
Click on the link below to listen to the audio.
Visual Thought for the Day
This is today’s Thought for the Day visual that we invite you to share on social media.
The Words of Pope Francis
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”.
Thus begins the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit (Christ is alive) by Pope Francis published in April. This year’s Advent Calendar is featuring Pope Francis’ words from Christus vivit which he has addressed to young people , and to the entire People of God and published on 2 April 2019.
Today’s excerpt is about accompaniment:
“Young people need to have their freedom respected, yet they also need to be accompanied. The family should be the first place of accompaniment. Youth ministry can present the ideal of life in Christ as the process of building a house on rock (cf. Mt 7:24-25). For most young people, that house, their life, will be built on marriage and married love. That is why youth ministry and the pastoral care of families should be coordinated and integrated, with the aim of ensuring a continuous and suitable accompaniment of the vocational process.” (CV 242)
#LivingAdvent 2019
During Advent are sharing family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that all of us are encouraged to undertake during the month of December. The Advent Calendar is also also offering tips on how families can care for our common home by having a more sustainable Christmas.
Advent Random Act of Kindness
Don’t just buy presents – be present to someone.
Don’t just wrap gifts – wrap a loved one in a hug.
Don’t just send gifts – send peace.
Don’t just see the lights at this time of year – be the light!
Let’s Be Family – Act of Charity
Give some time to volunteering with one of the many worthy charities and causes, especially at this time of the year when there are extra demands on their services.
Living Advent by Caring for Our Common Home
Advent and Christmas offer us an opportunity to reflect on how we co-exist with the animal world. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis says, “If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously.”
Look out for the birds and other small wild animals over the winter period.
Living Advent by welcoming Migrants and Refugees
At home, at school, at work, wherever we go today, let us be committed to welcoming the vulnerabilities of our brothers and sisters with whom we come into contact.
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intention for the Day to Pray Together
We pray for peace, especially in countries ravaged by war; that nation will not lift sword against nation and the weapons of war may be replaced by instruments of peace.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
Prayer for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree
This is a short prayer of blessing to be prayed just before the lights are lit for the first time on the Christmas tree and it can be used in schools, homes or places of work:
Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Advent Prayers for Schools
Class Prayer
God our Father,
Help us to feel all the happiness your Son brings,
and to celebrate his coming with Joy Amen.
Staff Prayer
Loving God, as we gather here today we ask you to be with us.
Journey with us this Advent time and guide us so that we may strive
not so much to teach as to awaken, not so much to instruct as to
inspire. Give us courage and wisdom as we work here in (name of school),
so that this community is one of vision and joy. Amen
Advent Music
O Come Divine Messiah is a well known Advent hymn.
