By, Sebastian, Jack, By, Sebastian, Jack, Lewis, Don and RobertLewis, Don and Robert

Lewis

• Advent is a period lasting four Sundays Advent is a period lasting four Sundays preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.birth.

• The first Sunday of Advent also marks The first Sunday of Advent also marks the beginning of the Christian Church’s the beginning of the Christian Church’s year.year.

• Advent means the ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ Advent means the ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ of something.of something.

Sebastian

• The wreath represents eternity.The wreath represents eternity.• The green leaves are everlasting so The green leaves are everlasting so

they represent God’s everlasting love.they represent God’s everlasting love.• The circle of the wreath, symbolises The circle of the wreath, symbolises

no beginning or end and the eternity no beginning or end and the eternity of God.of God.

• It also symbolises the immortality of It also symbolises the immortality of life and the everlasting life in Christ. life and the everlasting life in Christ.

Don

• Each candle is lit on each Sunday during Advent.Each candle is lit on each Sunday during Advent.• The first candle is the candle of hope which is The first candle is the candle of hope which is

purple.purple.• The second candle is the candle of love which is The second candle is the candle of love which is

purple.purple.• The third candle is the candle of joy which is pink.The third candle is the candle of joy which is pink.• The fourth candle is the candle of peace which is The fourth candle is the candle of peace which is

purple.purple.• The fifth optional candle marks Jesus’ birth on The fifth optional candle marks Jesus’ birth on

Christmas which is white.Christmas which is white.

Jack

• Advent is a time of change, a time to Advent is a time of change, a time to look inward and discover those things look inward and discover those things that we need to change to become a that we need to change to become a better person. This means adding better person. This means adding things to our life to improve ourselves, things to our life to improve ourselves, and make us become a better Christian and make us become a better Christian and have a better life.and have a better life.

Lewis

• 1st Sunday in advent is about prayer.

• 2nd Sunday in advent is about patience.

• 3rd Sunday in advent is about joy/wisdom

• 4th Sunday in advent is about anticipation.

Don

• Scripture readings for advent will reflect on emphasis on the second advent, they include themes of:

• Accountability for faithfulness at His coming

• Judgement on sin

• Hope of eternal life

Sebastian

• Advent continues until 24th December. It blends together both a joyful and penitential spirit. Its similar to lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the second and final coming of the lord, called the parousia. And a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.

Jack

• The third Sunday of advent is known as gaudete Sunday or rejoice Sunday.

• Gaudete is the Latin word which means rejoice. This is why priests have the option of wearing pink on this particular Sunday. The third Sunday of advent indicates that the season of penance is coming to an end and soon we will be rejoicing in the celebration of Christmas.

Robert

• An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. The days often overlap with the Christian season of Advent. Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3. Many take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows" of which there are usually 24: one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. One is opened every day leading up to Christmas. The calendar windows open to reveal an image, poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus) or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content.

Lewis

• Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season. It began when an Angel appeared to Mary and said she was going to

give birth to a the son of God.

Sebastian

• Christmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Christmas dinner around the world may differ and the traditions can reflect the culture of the respective country it is being celebrated in. Turkey is present in a fair number of these meals.

Don

• A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as pine or fir, traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. An artificial Christmas tree is an object made to resemble such a tree, usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

• The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts or dates. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which with electrification could also be replaced by Christmas lights. Today, there is a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree, to represent the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

• There are lots of charities for Christmas.

• Examples are: Operation Christmas Child, Save the Children, Christmas Card Aid and Christmas Spirit Foundation.

• The main charity that helps children at Christmas is Operation Christmas Child.

• Lots of schools in the UK take part in this charity.

Sebastian

Lewis

Recap

• There are 5 candles on the wreath and they each have a colour.

• A Christmas tree is made from polyvinyl chloride.• An angel or a star is put on top of a Christmas tree.• There are 12 days of Christmastide.• Third Sunday of advent is known as gaudete Sunday.

Jack

Quick Quiz

• How many candles are there and what are the colours?

• What is an artificial Christmas tree made from?

• What is put on top of a Christmas tree?

• How many days in Christmastide?

• What is the third Sunday?

Robert

Prayer• A Root shall come forth from the stock of Jesse

And a Flower shall rise out of his root!And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Himthe spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and of godliness.The people that walked in darkness shall see a great light,For a Child is born to us and a Son is given to us.To Him all power shall be given. His Name shall be: Wonderful One, Strong God, Eternal One, Prince of Peace. He shall sit on the throne of David, And He will found a new Covenant which will last for ever and ever.

• Amen

Robert