ADVENT

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ADVENT

• A period of
• PREPARATION
• for the birth of
• JESUS CHRIST

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WHAT IS ADVENT ?

• A period of 4 weeks when Christians prepare for
  the coming of Christ.
• Bible readings, esp. Isaiah.
• Lk 1 76 - Jns father Zechariah.
• Lk 1 31, 35 - annunciation.
• Mt 1 20-21 - distress of Joseph.
• Advent readings demonstrate 2 imp. Xn beliefs -
  1. Jesus is the Son of God and 2. Jesus is the
  Messiah.

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ADVENT CUSTOMS (1)

• ADVENT WREATH
• Circle of evergreen - eternal life of God.
• 4 candles - Christ the Light of the World.
• 3 candles and ribbon are purple - liturgical
  colour for preparation.
• 1 pink candle - third Sunday - feast day very
  near.
• A fifth, white candle is often lit on Christmas
  day.

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ADVENT CUSTOMS (2)

• Advent Calendar
• 1st of December for 24 days.
• Child opens window for each day.
• Usually a picture and text from bible.
• Way of preparing young children.

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ADVENT CUSTOMS (3)

• Jesse Tree
• Family tree of Jesus.
• Back as far as Jesse the father of King David.
• Shows Jesus was truly man.
• Long history.

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CHRISTMAS

• THE TIME WHEN WE REMEMBER THE
• BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

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INCARNATION

• I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, Our
  Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary
• TWO TRUTHS-
• Jesus - Son of God
• Jesus - Son of Mary

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS (1)

• CRIBS-
• Thought to have been introduced by St Francis.
• Figures tell the story of birth.
• Animals are typical of those found in Palestinian
  stables.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS (2)

• GIFTS-
• Symbolises Love your neighbour.
• Gifts to children from St Nicholas - Santa Claus.
• Boxing Day
• Associated with gifts because St Stephen gave
  money and food to the poor in the early days of
  the Church.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS (3)

• CARDS-
• Recent custom.
• Friends and relatives.
• Message supposed to remind people of the birth of
  Christ.
• Now big business.
• Often NO Christian message.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS (4)

• Carols-
• Effective way of spreading the message.
• Children round houses.
• Often tell the story of the birth of Christ.
• Encourage charity.
• Carols vary from country to country.
• Basic message is the same
• Good tidings of comfort and joy.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS (5)

• Pantomimes-
• Family entertainment.
• Usually a struggle between good and evil.
• Theme of a Saviour is there even if the story of
  Jesus is not being told.

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EPIPHANY

• To show forth
• (Concentrates on three showings)

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SHOWING (1)

• The worship of the MAGI
• (Mt2 1 - 12)
• Non-Jews who recognised Jesus as the Saviour of
  the world.

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SHOWING (2)

• The BAPTISM of Jesus in the Jordan.
• This is my Son whom I love.
• (Mt3 13 - 17)
• (Mk1 9 - 12)
• (Lk3 21 - 23)

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SHOWING (3)

• The Transfiguration.
• Jesus speaks with Old Testament characters-
• Moses the law-giver.
• Elijah the prophet.
• This is my Son, whom I love, listen to him.
• (Mt17 1 - 10)
• (Mk9 2 - 13)
• (Lk9 28 - 36)