Embracing the Spirit of Advent: Kindness, Reflection, and Hope
Embrace the spirit of Advent by reflecting on the true meaning of the season, showing kindness to others, and fostering hope for the future. Explore the themes of preparation, welcoming visitors, showing kindness to refugees, making Advent wreaths, and supporting others through World Gifts. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus with acts of love and compassion.
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Advent calendar Advent calendar 2016 2016 28 Nov 27 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 24 Dec 29 Nov 24 Dec 30 Nov 23 Dec 30 Nov 23 Dec 1 Dec 22 Dec 1 22 Dec 25 Dec Dec 25 Dec 2 Dec 21 Dec 2 21 Dec Dec 3 Dec 20 Dec 3 20 Dec Dec 4 Dec 19 Dec 4 19 Dec Dec 5 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 5 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 14 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 8 9 14 Dec 6 7 12 Dec 13 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec
Today is the First Sunday of Advent Advent is a special time when we get ready for the coming of Jesus. Matthew 24:37-44 The gospel story is telling us that we must be ready when Jesus comes again, but that we cannot be exactly sure when that will be, so we must try to be ready all the time. It can be lots of fun when we have visitors either someone new that we have not met before or family or friends that we have not seen for a while. Imagine a visitor is coming to see you. How would you get ready for the visit? How would you make them feel welcome?
At this time of year, we remember Mary and Josephs long journey to Bethlehem and how they relied upon the kindness of strangers to provide them with shelter. This Advent, we think about all the families that have been forced to leave their homes and make their own difficult journeys. How can we show kindness to others this Advent? Download our World Gifts resources to set up a nativity scene in class.
We have seen a lot about refugees in the news. But what is a refugee? Refugees are people that haveto leave their home in order to save their lives or preserve their freedom. They have no protection from their own state. Watch the video to find out more about the journey of refugees and what their hopes and dreams are for the future. What are your hopes for the future?
The Advent wreath is a special symbol. The evergreen leaves mean everlasting life. The circle of the wreath (with no beginning and no end) reminds us of the eternity of God and the four candles are the four weeks of Advent. Draw or make an Advent wreath: 1. Cut a hole in the middle of a paper plate 2. Draw around your hands on green recycled paper and ask others to do the same 3. Stick the cut-out hands around the outside of the paper plate to make the leaves 4. Make four candles by rolling paper into tubes (3 purple and 1 pink) 5. Attach a paper flame to one candle on each Sunday of Advent
World Gifts is one way we can show kindness to others. The gifts support people in developing countries to break free from poverty. Food for a family Winter survival kit This year there are two special gifts to support refugee families who have lost so much. There are lots of other gifts too. There s even a goat! Find out more about World Gifts here. Choose one of the World Gifts and if you can plan ways to raise money for it.
Gather at your nativity scene and say a prayer together. Loving God, Your Son was the greatest gift for the world. Help us to remember all that he taught us about loving our sisters and brothers, wherever they live in the world. Amen Remember to add templates of the World Gifts to the nativity scene each time you raise money for them.
Tell a friend or someone at home what you have been learning about refugees. What would life be like as a refugee? Watch the film of children s dreams together. Talk about the journey of refugees and what their hopes and dreams are for the future.
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent Matthew 3:1-12 Today we heard a story about John the Baptist. John told everybody that Jesus was coming and that they needed to get ready. John warns the people coming to be baptised that they need to change their lives for the better. This will help them to be ready for Jesus. If we change our lives for the better and try to do the right things, we can help to make the world a happier place for other people too. How are you going to change your life for the better this Advent? What will you do for others so that you are ready when Jesus comes?
Ahmad and his family live in Lebanon. They had to leave Syria because of the war, along with many other families. We left Syria because our home was bombed. We were forced to leave with nothing. Life here is very hard. We have no money, so we can t afford anything. After six years of civil war in Syria, many families have little money left. Life is tough, especially in winter. Temperatures can get very cold in Lebanon. A World Gift Winter survival kit can provide the means to buy food, fuel and blankets to see families like Ahmed s safely through the cold winter. Ahmad Pray for families like Ahmad s today.
Across England and Wales, hundreds of children and young people have written messages of hope to refugees. I hope the world will come to its senses I hope the world will come to its senses and use what we have to and use what we have to help You are not forgotten. I think of you every night not forgotten. I think of you every night in my prayers. in my prayers. Y You are some of the ou are some of the bravest people, you must always stay bravest people, you must always stay strong and keep up your hope. strong and keep up your hope. help You are Write your own message of hope for refugees here.
Get Christmassy! Christmas is less than three weeks away. Spend some time decorating your house and your classroom with eco-friendly decorations. Make colourful paper chains by using recycled magazines! You may wish to organise a Christmas sale and use the money to buy World Gifts. You could make Christmas cards, decorations or cakes to sell.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception Today is a special feast day for Mary, Jesus mother. In many countries around the world this day is when people celebrate Mother s Day. Thanks to your support, CAFOD works with mums (and dads) all over the world. Here is a mum and her child from Syria. They are being supported by CAFOD partner, Caritas Hellas in Greece. Light a candle. Pray the Hail Mary together so that all people may have the things that they need. Remind your mum or other special women in your life that you love them.
Gather at your nativity scene and say a prayer together. Loving God, Your Son was the greatest gift for the world. Help us to remember all that he taught us about loving our sisters and brothers, wherever they live in the world. Amen Remember to add templates of the World Gifts to the nativity scene each time you raise money for them.
Today is Human Rights Day. All people have the right to basic things like water, food, shelter and education. It is often difficult for refugees to have these basic things they need. CAFOD supports families around the world to achieve their rights. Look up the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Choose one of the rights that all children should have and draw a picture of it. Show it to someone at home.
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist, who we heard about last week, wants to make sure that Jesus is really the special person that he has been waiting for, so he sends some friends to check. Jesus answers them by telling them that he is the one who has come to heal the sick and to bring good news to the poor. This answer tells John that Jesus really is the person for whom he has been waiting. We are not able to heal the sick as Jesus did, but we can help other people. How will you try to be like Jesus, helping others and bringing good news to people who are poor?
CAFOD has shared the messages of solidarity that children and young people have written to refugees. This is Leena, a refugee from Afghanistan, reading some of the messages. Leena is 9 years old. Her family had to leave Afghanistan because there were bombings every day and it became too dangerous to stay. If you have not done so already, write your own message of hope for refugees. Take action here.
Leena and her family have been living in a camp in Greece for the last eight months. They had to leave Afghanistan when it became too dangerous. They wrote a message to the UK. How can we support refugees like Leena? Think of prayers you can say together or ways to raise money. If you haven t done so already, write a message of hope to refugees and send it to CAFOD.
Pope Francis made this past year a Holy Year of Mercy. He asked us to show God s mercy in different ways, including by welcoming the outsider. Thinking of ways to support refugees is one way we can welcome the outsider. In the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis also asked us to go on pilgrimage a special journey to a special place. Hundreds of children across England and Wales have taken part in a pilgrimage with CAFOD, to show that they are walking alongside refugees. This does not mean they have actually walked alongside refugees, but they are doing things to show that they care and want to help. We call this solidarity. You can still carry out your own pilgrimage here.
During Advent, we prepare to welcome Christ, the Light of the World, into our lives. At Harvest, we learned about Ruben, who lives in Bolivia. Unpredictable weather and poor soil makes growing enough food very difficult for families like Ruben s. But with your support, Ruben s family are working hard to grow enough food and build a brighter future. Inspired by Ruben s community, thousands of children got involved with Brighten Up during Harvest. THANK YOU.
Gather at your nativity scene and say a prayer together. Loving God, Your Son was the greatest gift for the world. Help us to remember all that he taught us about loving our sisters and brothers, wherever they live in the world. Amen Remember to add templates of the World Gifts to the nativity scene each time you raise money for them.
In just over a week it will be Christmas! Read the Christmas story with a friend or someone in your family. Draw pictures to illustrate each step of the story.
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent International Migrants Day Matthew 1:18-24 In this story an angel comes to tell Joseph that everything will be all right and that Jesus is not just an ordinary baby, but is very special. He is the son of God. All babies need the same basic things, wherever they are born in the world. Sometimes it is hard for families to provide these things because of what is happening around them. In countries like Syria and Afghanistan, families have had to leave their homes because fighting made it dangerous to stay. Many now live in camps because they have nowhere else to go. Why do you think it might be more difficult to look after a baby in a camp, far away from home? Pray for babies and their parents around the world.
When we are preparing for Christmas we sometimes get carried away thinking about all the things we WANT. CAFOD works with people around the world to make sure they have the things that they NEED like clean water, shelter or medicine. This Advent take time to reflect and pray for our sisters and brothers around the world.
Remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 Make a Christmas angel and give it to someone that has been very kind this week.
In September, thousands of people joined together with CAFOD and other agencies to show solidarity with refugees. They wrote many messages of support. Refugees Refugees are our brothers and are our brothers and sisters sisters We must welcome our We must welcome our family with open arms family with open arms Refugees Refugees are welcome are welcome
In the Christmas story, a star guides the shepherds and the kings to the stable where Jesus was born. Draw a Christmas star on a piece of recycled paper. Write the name of someone you know that you think has been a true Christmas star and say something nice about them. Give them the star and tell them why.
Gather at your nativity scene and say a prayer together. Loving God, Your Son was the greatest gift for the world. Help us to remember all that he taught us about loving our sisters and brothers, wherever they live in the world. Amen Remember to add templates of the World Gifts to the nativity scene each time you raise money for them.
The wait is almost over, its Christmas Eve. Today is a really exciting day with lots of last minute things to prepare, presents to wrap and stockings to hang up. Even though today is very busy and exciting remember to stop and think about the true meaning of Christmas. Give time to help out, share time with your family and friends and make time to give thanks. Light a candle and prepare to welcome Christ, the Light of the World, into your lives.
