The word ADVENT (from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ which signifies a coming), is
given, in the Latin Church, to that period of the year during which we, the
Church, prepare for the celebration of the Feast of Christmas, the celebration
of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Since the tenth century the First Sunday of Advent has always marked the
beginning of the Church’s year in the Catholic Church. (In the Orthodox Church
the season begins earlier in November). The beginning of Advent always follows
the Feast of Christ the King, so this year (Year A) the First Sunday of Advent
falls on 27th November.
It is a preparation time. It looks forward to the annual celebration of the birth
of Jesus, both the historical event and the saving event of the coming of God in
flesh – the Incarnation. It looks, also, to the Second Coming of Jesus at the end
of time.
The earliest suggestion of a period of preparation for the birth of Jesus was
towards the end of the 5th Century when St Perpetuus decreed a fast three
times a week from the feast of St Martin, 11th November, until Christmas. It
became a period of penance and fasting of 43 days, not unlike Lent, although
somewhat less strict. It was commonly called St Martin’s Lent. By the tenth
century this period of time became the four Sundays, as we have now, and the
rules of fasting were relaxed.
COLOURS
During Advent we use the liturgical colours of purple or violet, symbolic of
penitence and rose (on the Third Sunday), symbolic of Christmas joy.
THEMES
The overall theme of Advent blends together a penitential spirit, 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.

Week 1
Stay Awake and Watch
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
Week 3
Week 2
Prepare a Way for the Lord
Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice!

Week 4
Mary Will Have a Child
1
SOME IDEAS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF
THE WORD AND FAMILIES AT HOME
(Each idea is on a separate page for ease of photocopying)
Symbols have developed over the years to help us to understand and celebrate
the seasons of Advent.
AN ADVENT WREATH
The Advent wreath is one of our most popular Advent
traditions. Its origin is in pre-Christian Germany and
Scandinavia where the people gathered to celebrate the
return of the sun after the winter solstice. The circular
wreath made of evergreens with four candles interspersed
represented the circle of the year and the life that endures through the winter.
As the days grew longer, people lit candles to offer thanks to the "sun god" for
the light. For us, the lighting of the Advent candles represents the promise of
the coming of Jesus, the light of the world.
The exact meaning given to the various aspects of the wreath is not as
important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate.
The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless
mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the
hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.
Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of
His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four
Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolise the four centuries of waiting
between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.
The colours of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually
three purple candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colours of Advent, and one
pink or rose candle. One of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunday of
Advent, accompanied by a prayer. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are
relit with an additional one also lit. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of
Advent.
The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The
light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the
darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we
are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to
others (Isaiah 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolises
the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lit over the
four week period, it also symbolises the darkness of fear and hopelessness
receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into
the world. The flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening,
and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is
plainly visible as the Christ candle is lit at Christmas, and we rejoice over the
fact that the promise of long ago has been realised.
2
The first candle is traditionally the candle of Expectation or Hope (or in some
traditions, Prophecy). This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of
a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament
history. As God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by selfcentred prophets, and lulled into apathy by half-hearted religious
leaders, there arose a longing among some for God to raise up a new
king who could show them how to be God’s people. They yearned for a
return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst.
And so, God revealed to some of the prophets that indeed He would not
leave His people without a true Shepherd. While they expected a new
earthly king, their expectations fell far short of God’s revelation of Himself in
Christ. And yet, the world is not yet fully redeemed. So, we again with
expectation, with hope, await God’s new work in history, the Second Advent, in
which He will again reveal Himself to the world. And we understand in a profound
sense that the best, the highest of our expectations will fall far short of what
our Lord’s Second Advent will reveal!
The third candle for the Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally Pink or Rose,
and symbolises Joy at the Advent of the Christ. Sometimes the colours of the
sanctuary and vestments are also changed to Rose for this Sunday.
The centre candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally
lighted on Christmas Eve or Day. The central location of the Christ Candle
reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the
world.
To make an Advent wreath for use with the Liturgy of the Word for Children,
or to encourage families to use at home, begin with a Styrofoam or Oasis circle,
available at craft shops or florists, and cut four evenly
spaced holes into which you will place the four candles.
Traditionally there are three purple candles and one
rose candle (for the third Sunday). Purple reminds us to
turn our hearts toward God; rose is a colour of joy.
Place fresh evergreen branches over the Styrofoam or
Oasis. Replace them when they dry out in order to preserve the symbolism of
the vitality of God's love. Encourage children to participate as they are able, by
gathering branches, placing the candles and so on.
3
A JESSE TREE
The 11th chapter of Isaiah describes the ideal king in
the line of Israel’s great king, David. The first verse of
that chapter says,
‘A
shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of this root.’
Jesse was King David’s father. The image of a branch growing out of the roots
of Jesse points to a new king in David’s line. Christians know that this is fulfilled
in Jesus, the King of Kings, who is a descendent of Jesse. One tradition is to
decorate a tree branch with symbols that remember other important persons
from the Old Testament. The symbols on the "Jesse Tree" remind us that our
belief grows out of deep roots of thousands of years of ancestors in the faith.
One way to create a Jesse Tree is to place a suitable tree branch in a large
tin can (such as a coffee can) and anchor it with rocks. Then create the
symbols on construction paper. Punch a hole in the paper ornament with a hole
punch. Then
attach the ornament to the tree branch with string.
Symbols for the Jesse Tree draw from images in the Old Testament. Some
possible symbols and their scripture references are on the following pages.
There are six pages of Jesse Tree ornaments for you to use. Each page contains
four of designs for children to colour and decorate with glitter or cottonwool
balls glued to the ornament. Photocopy the designs onto card or stick the paper
designs on cardboard Cut each page into four ornaments and you'll have patterns
for two-dozen Jesse Tree ornaments.
The following list gives 25 suggestions for symbols to use in decorating a Jesse
Tree along with the scripture references for the symbol. These 25 symbols
would allow a new ornament to be added to the tree each day in December
leading up to Christmas. You may choose only to use some of the more familiar
symbols if you wish
PERSON
Adam
Eve
Noah
Abraham
Sarah
Isaac
Rebecca
Jacob
Rachel
Joseph
Moses
Miriam
Deborah
SYMBOL
Male figure
Female figure
Rainbow
Tree
Tent
Ram
Camel
Ladder
Shepherd’s crook
Colourful coat
Burning bush
Music notes
Palm tree
4
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
Genesis 2:7
Genesis 2:21-23
Genesis 9:11-17
Genesis 18:1
Genesis 18:9-14
Genesis 22:13-14
Genesis 24:63-67
Genesis 28:10-17
Genesis 29:9-12
Genesis 37:3
Exodus 3:1-6
Exodus 15:20-21
Judges 4:4-5
Samuel
Ruth
Jesse
David
Solomom
Hezekiah
Josiah
Isaiah
Elizabeth
John the Baptist
Mary
Jesus
Lamp
Straw
Branch
Harps
Columns
Tablets of the Law
Book
Throne
Dove
River
Angel
Manger
5
1 Samuel 3:1-3
Ruth 2:1-9
Isaiah 11:1
1 Samuel 16:17-18
1 Kings 5:2-5
2 Kings 18:1-6
2 Kings 23:1-3
Isaiah 6:1
Luke 1:39-45
Matthew 3:1-6
Luke 1:26-35
Luke 2:1-7
6
7
8
9
10
11