Growing in WISDOM to WORSHIP & WITNESS
December 2012	“Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.” - Bl. John Paul II

Dec. 4, 2012

Today, we pray for hope. Hope is that feeling inside our hearts that says “Things will get better or we can get through this.” Today, we ask that God fill our hearts with hope and for the strength to place our trust in God.

Dec. 5, 2012

During Advent, we light the candles on our Advent wreaths. Advent wreaths remind us to be aware of the presence of Jesus among us at this time in our daily lives. Advent, the season of hope, reminds us also of the strength of our faith in the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Dec. 6, 2012

During Advent, we prepare the way of the Lord. After time spent in prayer and service, we are ready to welcome the Christ child at Christmas. Today, on the feast day of St. Nicholas, we pray that we can use the season of Advent to stretch our faith.

Dec. 7, 2012

When Jesus was first born at Christmas, many had been waiting their entire lives for the Messiah, but still didn’t recognize Him when He came. It was as if they were blind to what God was doing. God is always active in our lives but sometimes we are also blind to it. Today, we pray that we see through eyes of faith.

Dec. 10, 2012

The love of God helps and protects us. When we think of our faith in Jesus, we should feel safe. Today on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, we pray that others will grow in faith and feel safe in the love of Jesus. .

Dec. 11, 2012

There is a famous quote which says “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you do with yourself is your gift to God.” It’s important to remember in our journey of faith that we can be a gift to God. Let’s pray that our everyday actions be gifts to Jesus this Christmas.

Dec. 12, 2012

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is another name for Jesus` mother, Mary. In the 1500`s, she appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico. Many people were healed, and within a short time, six million Native Mexicans were baptized as Christians. We must remember that God uses Mary to lead people to Jesus, and God can use us, too!

Dec. 13, 2012

Today is the feast day of St. Lucy. She is the patron saint of eyesight. Eyesight is very important not just for seeing the world but in our faith as well. Our sight allows us to see God in creation and in the people around us. Today, we pray that we see God and that others see God in us.

Dec. 14, 2012

Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross. He was taken prisoner, tortured, and was told to be silent. Instead of fighting back, his response was to write poetry. Through the guidance of Mary, St. John of the Cross was able to escape and find safety. Today, let’s think of how we can respond when faced with trouble and how our faith can help us make the right decision.

Dec. 17, 2012

It’s difficult to have hope and faith all the time. We need to trust God. When things are difficult, we need to ask God for His help.

Dec. 18, 2012

 We are all on a journey of faith together. Each of us has successful moments and moments that we mess up or that we are not proud of. We ask that God blesses our journey – the good and the not so good parts- today.

God,

Dec. 19, 2012

Christmas is so close. Soon, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. We will also give and receive presents. It’s important to remember that our faith in God is a gift. We can be a gift and give others hope.

Father, may everything we do begin with your inspiration and continue with your saving help. Let our day always start in you and through you reach completion.

We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dec. 20, 2012

Christmas is a busy time of year. Although we are excited, and there are so many distractions, we need to be focused. We know that there is a lot of work to do at school and home. Today, we pray for renewed hope and the grace to accomplish all we need to do in order to be ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us and directing us to you. We are sometimes faced with a lack of hope. Help us to overcome our lack of hope and to remain true to you. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Dec. 21, 2012

Today is our last day together before Christmas holidays begin. On Christmas day, we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Jesus came into this world to save us. He gave His life to save us because he loves us so much. We pray today that we can make Jesus proud on His birthday.

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This December, our school community focuses on the wisdom of the traditions and customs of the Church in the season of Advent. The four weeks leading up to Christmas Day reminds us to prepare for the Light of Christ as it enters our hearts and brightens our classrooms and halls through prayer and scripture, special Advent activities like our concert preparations, and our community outreach to _____.

The staff of _________ Catholic School is grateful to every family for entrusting the precious gift of your child to us and we wish you all the peace, joy, and love of this most blessed season.

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Reading: Luke 2:1-8 or Isaiah 7:10 -15 (birth of Emmanuel)

Prayer :

God of every nation and people,

from the very beginning of creation you have made known your love:

when our need for a Saviour was great,

you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.

To our lives, he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.



Blessing: 

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger;

may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him,

who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.

Leader:

As we gather around our Christmas tree, we stand here ready to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus.

We ask Your Blessing upon this tree, this sign of life and freshness and perseverance in our midst. It stands as a reminder that you are born anew in us each day. Bless our school family and friends as we celebrate this joyous season. Keep us safe in our travels, kind in our conversations, and gracious in our giving and receiving.

We ask you this in confidence, because we know you love us.

All: Amen.

(Suggested Christmas carol: “O Christmas Tree’)

As we leave our school family for the Christmas holidays, we offer this special blessing:

May the wonder of the shepherds, the generosity of the wise men, the compassion of Mary and the faith of Joseph be in us all and flow from us this Christmas and always. Amen

May everyone celebrate this blessed time remembering that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. We pray that we all return safely to school in the New Year. Amen.

Alternative blessing:

May we know in our hearts and share with others the simple joy of the shepherds, the praise of the angles and the love of the Holy Family.

May the holy child of Bethlehem, true God and true man, be close to us this day and every day.

If school mass or class prayer service takes place Dec. 3-11, use readings from the Second Sunday of Advent:

First Reading –Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11

Responsorial Psalm 126

Gospel – Luke 3:1-6, John the Baptist

If school mass or class prayer service takes place on Wed. Dec. 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, use readings of the day for the planned liturgy.

If school mass or class prayer service takes place on Thursday, Dec. 13, Memorial Saint Lucy, use readings of the day

If school mass or class prayer service takes place Dec. , use readings from the 3^rd Sunday of Advent:

   First Reading- Philippians 4:4-7

Responsorial Psalm 12

   Gospel- Luke 3:10-18 – John the Baptist

 

If school mass or class prayer service takes place Dec. , use readings from 4^th Sunday of Advent

   First Reading –Micah 5:2-5

Psalm 80

   Gospel – Luke 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth

 

The Legend of the Candy Cane Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless life of Jesus. He made the candy hard to symbolize that Jesus is the solid rock and the foundation of the church. The firmness also represents the promises of God. The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The candy maker then added red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have the promise of eternal life. The flavor of mint is similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. It was also used at the cross as they gave Jesus a drink of vinegar before He gave up the Ghost.

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Classroom Prayer Table Additions:

·   Advent Wreath

·   Nativity Set

·   Listening Centre for the Wondrous Story by Arden Mead or other sounds and carols of the season

·   Gather Round the Christmas Tree – Devotions for Advent by Dr. Mary Manz Simon from Creative Communications.

·   Create an Interactive Jesse Tree, especially for Junior grades

http://www.loyolapress.com/our-jesse-tree-advent-activity.htm   

 

 

Our Lady was a messenger of good news. She was a missionary for her Son.

Create holiday greeting cards to share the good news of Jesus with others.

 

Create the Christmas tree design found out of 24 equilateral triangles to display on the class door or on a wall that your students can easily access. On each triangle, write one of the scripture sayings found below or print the sayings onto labels and stick them on. Every day during December, have a student or two, begin the day by turning over a triangle and reading the Scripture passage to the class. For older students, you may want them to look up the actual scripture reference and write it themselves and then share it. Spend a few moments explaining the relevance of the passage to the season of Advent. Consider having an older reading buddy class create this Advent Calendar for their younger buddies as part of a JOY DAY activity.

Advent Scripture Sayings to Uncover Daily

1.  “I am the first and the last...I was dead, and see, I am alive forever.” Rev. 1:17-18

2.  They shall name him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matt. 1:23

3.  You will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matt. 1:21

4.  You are the Messiah, the son of the living God. Matt. 16:16

5.  “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” Jn. 6:35

6.  “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much

fruit.” Jn. 15:5

 

7.  Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Jn.1:29

8.  “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you should because that is who I am.” Jn. 13:13

9.  Unto you is born a Saviour, Christ, the Lord. Lk. 2:11

10.  I know that my Redeemer lives. Job 19:25

11.  The Lord your God will send you a prophet. You are to obey everything he tells you.

Acts 3:22

 

12.  We have a great high priest...and he is Jesus, the Son of God. Heb. 4:14

13.  Rejoice and shout for joy! Behold, your king is coming to you. Zec. 9:9

14.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jn. 10:11

15.  Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest! Matt. 21:9

 

 

16.  God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God and they abide in God.

1 Jn. 4:15

17.  A child is born to us. He is “Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

18.  “I am the way, truth, and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jn. 14:6

19.  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” Jn 8:12

20.  You know the message he sent, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:36

 

21.  You are my servant, in whom I will be glorified. Is. 49:3

22.  And the Word became flesh and lived among us and we have seen his glory. Jn. 1:14

23.  They drank from the rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself.

1 Cor. 10:4

 

24.  The stone which the builders rejected turned out to be the most important of all.

Ps 118:22

CL3.1 Retell using a variety of strategies, the Scripture narratives related to each liturgical seasons (e.g. the Annunciation, the Birth of Jesus, the visit of the Magi,…) and link them to the symbols that unfold their meaning

CL3.3 Identify the various ways people communicate with each other and express their thoughts and feelings (e.g. words, signs, symbols, expressions) and relate this to the use of symbols, gestures, ritual and words in the liturgies of the Church to unfold the mysteries of Christ and sense of waiting and hope, new life and joy, wonder and thanksgiving throughout the seasons of the liturgical year.

Learning Goal:

I can explain how and why the season of the church called Advent is celebrated.

 

 

 

Materials

•Butcher paper or paper grocery bags •Coloured paper (purple and pink) •Markers and crayons

 

Directions:

•Begin the activity by asking the children to explain the meaning of the word Advent. (The time we wait to celebrate Jesus' birthday.)

•Next, ask the children if they can recall some of the ways we celebrate the season of Advent. (We make Advent wreaths.)

•Allow a few moments for the children to share what they know about Advent and the making of Advent wreaths. If necessary, remind them that the wreath helps us count the weeks that we wait for Jesus.

•When you feel the children have a clear understanding, tell them that they will be making their own wrapping paper that will be used at the end of Advent in celebration of Jesus' birth.

•Encourage the children to think of the special colors and special events that are significant to the season of waiting. Write their ideas on chart paper for all to refer to as they illustrate their papers.

•Provide the children with large sheets of butcher paper and crayons etc..

•If possible, have available a sample of your self-made wrapping paper.

•As the children draw, say: During the season of Advent, we prepare for Jesus' birth by letting him know that he's welcome in our lives and in our hearts. We can use this special wrapping paper for the gifts that we wrap in anticipation of Jesus' birthday.

 

Junior Lesson Ideas:  

Grade 4

Celebrating Specific Expectations

CL3.1 Examine scripture passages of the Old Testament and New Testament which are proclaimed during specific Liturgical seasons i.e. Advent , Christmas, Lent, and Easter, and communicate what they reveal about and celebrate in Jesus’ life.

CL3.3 Distinguish between sacramental’s and sacraments and use symbol, words, gestures, prayer and music as sacramentals in the creation of a sacred space and ritual celebrations that focus on the seasons of the liturgical year.

Intermediate/Senior Lesson Idea:

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To arrange for class visits, please email your family of schools elementary chaplaincy leaders or Religion Consultant directly.

andrew.hall@ncdsb.com (Notre Dame College and Lakeshore Catholic Family of Schools)

michelle.lepine@ncdsb.com (Denis Morris and Holy Cross Family of Schools)

penny.pomes@ncdsb.com (Saint Paul and Saint Michael Family of Schools)

krista.wood@ncdsb.com (St. Francis and Blessed Trinity Family of Schools)

terri.pauco@ncdsb.com  

“Advent helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ.” Blessed Pope John Paul II

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