ADVENT

The four weeks leading up to Christmas is an important time for Christians. We call this time Advent. Advent is a time for preparing for the celebration of God coming to life among us.

During this time we think about the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It can be a busy time buying presents for people but it is important to remember that Christmas is actually about the birth of a little baby over 2000 years ago.

This is the true meaning of Christmas. The Advent wreath is a circular evergreen candle holder. The wreath is circular, thus signifying continuous life. Evergreen represents life in the middle of winter. Each Sunday before Christmas a candle is lit and placed on the side.

Colour the Advent wreath and candles in the correct colours as explained.

The first candle is purple. It is the candle of hope. The second candle is also purple and it is the candle of preparation. The third candle is pink and it is called the Shepherd candle or the candle of joy. The fourth candle is purple. It is the love candle to represent the Angels announcing the birth of Jesus.

Finally, on Christmas morning a white candle is placed in the centre. This is the Christ candle and represents the purity of Jesus sent to wash away our sins.

1. Why is an evergreen wreath used when making an Advent wreath?

2. Name the order in which the candles are placed on the wreath.

Jesus was born into very primitive conditions in a manger in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes with only the breath of the farm animals to keep him warm.

An angel appeared to the shepherds in the field and announced his birth to them, “for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord ” (Luke 2:11). Three wise men from the east visited King Herod and asked him, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen the star in the east, and have come to worship him” (Mt. 2:2).

When the three wise men found Jesus they fell to their knees and worshipped him and gave him presents fit for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Meanwhile, King Herod was gripped by fear that his power as king would be under threat, so he ordered his servants to find this baby that the three wise men had told him about. The wise men were warned of the danger by an angel as they lay sleeping and returned to their country by another route, to avoid interrogation by Herod.

You are a servant of King Herod, reporting to him what you know of this baby and what you have heard. Write your report in the space below.