With the season of Advent, we begin a new church year. The word Advent means "coming". During Advent, we focus our hearts on the Christ child and how he comes into our lives. First, we celebrate Jesus' birth in a Bethlehem stable twenty centuries ago. Second, we look ahead to the time that Jesus will come again at the end of time. Third, Advent helps us remember that Jesus comes to us every day of our lives, if we make a place for Him in our hearts.
Advent is a time of waiting and hope. What is important is how we wait. We can share the joy of the season by reaching out to help other people. We can take a little time each day to open our hearts to prepare for the arrival of Jesus. The Advent wreath and the Advent calendar will help us to hold the true meaning of Christmas in our hearts.
Advent Calendars All children who attend CLOW will receive an Advent calendar that suggests ways to prepare for Jesus' coming with prayers, acts of kindness, and good deeds. (Click here to print out an Advent calendar.) Children in the age 4 - grade 1 group will also receive a "Countdown to Christmas" calendar. Each day of Advent, they can scratch off a calendar square to reveal a Christmas message or icon.
Advent Wreath In the Sacred Heart meeting room, you will find the outline of a BIG Advent wreath displayed on the wall. Each week during Advent, children attending CLOW will fill in those candles with drawings and written descriptions of their intended good deeds and kindnesses.
Weekly themes: 1st Sunday: Hope 2nd Sunday: Peace and Preparation 3rd Sunday: Joy 4th Sunday: Love Please stop by the meeting room and see our Advent wreath taking shape!
The season of Advent occurs during the time of year when the days get shorter and the nights get longer. It is at this darkest time of the year that we need the light the most! The Advent wreath helps us to remember that Jesus is our Light. Jesus is always with us!
The wreath is a circle that doesn’t have a beginning or an ending. That is to remind us that God’s love goes on forever and ever.
Evergreen needles or leaves do not die the way other leaves do. Evergreens remind us that God never changes and that His love never dies.
There are 4 candles on the wreath, one for each Sunday of Advent. The candles represent the many years God’s people waited for the Savior. There are 3 purple candles which represent longing expectation. We light the rose-colored candle on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. It symbolizes joy and hope in awaiting Jesus’ birthday.