Contents Ritual Preparation for Teachers Advent Ritual Music Suggestions

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1 1 Contents Ritual Preparation for Teachers 2 (1) Prayer Space 2 (2) Discussion Notes for the Readings 3 (3) Craft Activity: Advent Stars 4 (4) Star and label templates 5 (5) Candle label templates 6 Advent Ritual 7 Monday: Promise of Justice and Peace 7 Tuesday: Promise of Love 8 Wednesday: Promise to Share 9 Thursday: Promise of Faith 10 Friday: Promise of Peace and Joy 11 Music Suggestions 12

2 2 The Advent Ritual is a series of five small group rituals designed to be used during the last week of the school year before the Christmas holidays. The readings are from the four Sundays of Advent (Year C) and the Christmas Mass. Use the discussion notes below help the students to prepare for the ritual. (1) Prayer Space The prayer space can be set up on Monday morning of the last week of school. When you prepare the space, try to make references to the whole paschal mystery, especially the two advents of Christ (see more information about these concepts in the Advent Teachers Notes). One suggestion is to use both the Christmas Crib and a Chi-Roh image together. Here the Chi-Roh has been added as a label on the candle (see the candle motif template below). The following items are needed: Advent prayer space for Monday - Thursday: Small table Table cloth Mauve or blue Stars - Peace, Love, Sharing & Faith (see star template below) Each day a new star and its label are added (see the illustrations on page 4). Christmas prayer space for Friday: Small table Crib set Table cloth - Metallic gold/silver or white Star Joy (see star template below) On Friday, keep the focus on the Crib figures (see the illustrations on page 4). Lectionary for Masses with Children: use the Year C readings for Advent, or use a good children s bible. CD of appropriate music & CD player (See Music Suggestions on the last page) A white, cream or yellow candle to use for daily prayer and a saucer for drips. A candle label using the Chi-Roh image inside a star (See the candle motif template below)

3 (2) Discussion notes for the readings Use the following notes to prepare the students for the Advent Ritual below. The ritual focuses on promises: first on God s promises and second on our response to those promises. 3 God s promises are expressed in the covenant agreements in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the person and message of Jesus in the Christian Scriptures. Jesus is the means by which God s promises are fulfilled. Jesus is God s greatest gift to us. By sharing Jesus with us, God shows us how loved and valued we are. Jesus is the agent of God s justice, peace and joy on earth. Our response is to live up to God s promises: by being just and living peacefully with others; by showing love and concern for others and making the right choices in life; by sharing what we have with others, especially the poor; and by having faith in God. If we pay attention to God s grace at work in our daily lives we will be people of faith and that will express itself in joy. That does not mean that life will be easy, it just means that with God s help (grace) we will be able to cope with anything that comes along. For more information see Advent Teachers Notes. Monday: Promise of Justice and Peace Jeremiah 33:14-16: The prophet Jeremiah says that God has made a wonderful promise to us. God will send a king to be our saviour who will bring justice and peace for everyone. We know that that saviour is Jesus. Discuss: God has given us a wonderful gift of justice and peace in Jesus how can we respond to that gift by being people of justice and peace today? Tuesday: Promise to Love Philippians 1:4-6: St Paul writes that he is proud of his friends in Philippi because they have shared his work of spreading the good news. He reminds them to live good lives by loving one another and by making the right choices. Discuss: God has given us a wonderful gift of love in Jesus how can we respond to that gift by showing love to others today? What are the right choices for us today? Wednesday: Promise to Share Luke 3:1-6: John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, prepares the way for Jesus by urging people to live good lives, that is, by sharing with the poor and never trying to lie about others or cheat them. He baptises them so they can make a new start, leaving their sinful lifestyle behind, and so they can be ready for Jesus when he comes. Discuss: God has shared his only Son with us how can we respond to that gift by being generous with others and share what we have with the poor today? Thursday: Promise of Faith Luke 1:39-45: Luke s gospel tells the story of Mary s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary is pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth is pregnant with John the Baptist. Both women are experiencing miraculous pregnancies because they have been blessed by the Holy Spirit. They rejoice in each other s company. They show their great faith in God by being the first people on earth to recognise that Jesus is the saviour that God promised to send. Discuss: All God s promises have been kept and God has always been faithful to us how can we respond by being faithful to God, i.e., by being people of faith today? Friday: Promise of Peace and Joy Luke 2:1-14: Here Luke tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem, just as God promised. Soon after the birth, a few local shepherds saw a bright light which told them that something wonderful had happened. Then they saw angels, who gave them a message from heaven. Their message was a blessing of peace and joy! Discuss: God has given us the gift of peace and joy in Jesus how can we respond to that gift by sharing peace and joy with others today?

4 (3) Craft Activity: Advent Stars Materials 4 Star template (see below) use a photocopier to enlarge or shrink the shapes. If you use A3 paper, 12 cm for the small stars and 24cm for the large stars might be manageable sizes. Card for making the stars and the labels. Scissors For painting: water based paints; palettes for mixing colours; brushes; water containers. For collage etc: glitter, shiny wrapping paper or any other decorative material you have in your craft cupboard; glue. Method Make the stars during the second last week of school so that they will be ready for the Advent Ritual. Divide the class into five groups, corresponding to the themes of the Advent Ritual: (1) Peace; (2) Love; (3) Sharing; (4) Faith; and (5) Joy. 1. Cut out the stars a. Cut one of the small stars for each student. b. Cut one large star and one label for each group. 2. Group work a. Each group will make one large star with the relevant label. b. Each group member will make one small star for themselves. c. The groups should decide on a colour scheme for their star make sure all the groups choose a different colour scheme. 3. Large stars - display them in the Prayer Space each day for the Advent Ritual: a. On Monday put up the Star of Peace b. On Tuesday add the Star of Love c. On Wednesday add the Star of Sharing d. On Thursday add the Star of Faith e. On Friday add the final star, the Star of Joy 4. Small stars use them for the Action response to the readings (see the ritual text below). Avoid putting the theme words on the stars themselves let the colours do the talking. Use the labels for the words (see the label templates below). By Friday all the stars will be in the Prayer Space. At the end of the week, the students can take their stars home and add them to the household Christmas decorations. Try to maintain order in the Advent prayer space so that it does not become too cluttered and messy. On Friday, the focus should be on the Crib figures, so place all stars and labels (other than Joy) on the floor.

5 (4) Star and label templates 5

6 (5) Candle label templates Print the label in colour and stick it to the candle with double sided tape (available from fabric and craft supply stores). If you don t have access to colour printing, print it in black and white and colour it in. 6

7 7 Introduction (light the candle) Monday: Promise of Justice and Peace Reader: We gather during this Advent time to prepare for Christmas in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross). Reader: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God has given us many gifts and the greatest of these is Jesus at Christmas. Here we have our Star of Peace (point) and our candle (point). Now we are ready to pray. Reader: Jesus, we want to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate your birthday. We want to give you gifts. Help us to forget about ourselves for a while and think only of you. Readings Reader: The prophet Jeremiah says that God has made a wonderful promise to us. God will send a king to be our saviour who will bring justice and peace for everyone. We know that that saviour is Jesus. Reader: (see the Lectionary for Masses with Children - First Sunday of Advent Year C, First Reading - Jeremiah 33:14-16) (leave a moment for reflection after the reading background music might help here) Action response to the readings Reader: Jesus, our gifts to you do not cost money, but we offer our hearts and our actions by being kind and living peacefully with everyone around us. (Group 1 place their small stars on the floor around the table) Reader: Now let us make our promise. Jesus, you are our friend, we promise to be kind and to live peacefully with everyone. And we all say... All: We promise. Sign of Peace and conclusion Reader: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Play appropriate background music or sing an appropriate hymn) Reader: Jesus, help us to remember our promise to be kind and peaceful. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross).

8 Advent Ritual Introduction (light the candle) 8 Tuesday: Promise of Love Reader: We gather during this Advent time to prepare for Christmas in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross). Reader: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God has given us many gifts and the greatest of these is Jesus at Christmas. Here we have our Star of Love (point) and our candle (point). Now we are ready to pray. Reader: Jesus, we want to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate your birthday. We want to give you gifts. Help us to forget about ourselves for a while and think only of you. Readings Reader: In the reading today, St Paul says that he is proud of his friends in Philippi because they have shared his work of spreading the good news. He reminds them to live good lives by loving one another. Reader: (see the Lectionary for Masses with Children First Sunday of Advent Year C, Second Reading - Philippians 1:4-6) Action response to the readings Reader: Jesus, our gifts to you do not cost money, but we offer our hearts and our actions by showing love to others and always making good choices. (Group 2 place their small stars on the floor around the table) Reader: Now let us make our promise. Jesus, you are our friend, we promise to follow your example by loving others and always doing the right thing. And we all say... All: We promise. Sign of Peace and conclusion Reader: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Play appropriate background music or sing an appropriate hymn) Reader: Jesus, help us to remember our promise to be loving and good. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross).

9 9 Introduction (light the candle) Wednesday: Promise to Share Reader: We gather during this Advent time to prepare for Christmas in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross). Reader: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God has given us many gifts and the greatest of these is Jesus at Christmas. Here we have our Star of Sharing (point) and our candle (point). Now we are ready to pray. Reader: Jesus, we want to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate your birthday. We want to give you gifts. Help us to forget about ourselves for a while and think only of you. Readings Reader: In the reading today, John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, tells people to live good lives by sharing with the poor and being honest with everyone. Reader: (see the Lectionary for Masses with Children First Sunday of Advent, Year C, Gospel Luke 3:1-6) Action response to the readings Reader: Jesus, our gifts to you do not cost money, but we offer our hearts and our actions by being generous and honest with everyone around us. (Group 3 place their small stars on the floor around the table) Reader: Now let us make our promise. Jesus, you are our friend, we promise to share with others who are poor. Also, we promise to be honest with everyone so that no one is hurt by what we say or do. And we all say... All: We promise. Sign of Peace and conclusion Reader: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Play appropriate background music or sing an appropriate hymn) Reader: Jesus, help us to remember our promise to be generous and honest. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross).

10 10 Introduction (light the candle) Thursday: Promise of Faith Reader: We gather during this Advent time to prepare for Christmas in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross). Reader: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God has given us many gifts and the greatest of these is Jesus at Christmas. Here we have our Star of Faith (point) and our candle (point). Now we are ready to pray. Reader: Jesus, we want to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate your birthday. We want to give you gifts. Help us to forget about ourselves for a while and think only of you. Readings Reader: In the reading today we hear about Mary and Elizabeth, who show their great faith in God. Reader: (see the Lectionary for Masses with Children First Sunday of Advent Year C, Gospel - Luke 1:39-45) Action response to the readings Reader: Jesus, our gifts to you do not cost money, but we offer our hearts and our actions by having faith in you and believing that you will help us to live good lives. (Group 4 place their small stars on the floor around the table) Reader: Now let us make our promise. Jesus, you are our friend, we promise to pray to you every day and to ask for your help to make good choices. And we all say... All: We promise. Sign of Peace and conclusion Reader: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Play appropriate background music or sing an appropriate hymn) Reader: Jesus, help us to remember our promise to be faithful and prayerful people. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross).

11 11 Introduction (light the candle) Friday: Promise of Peace and Joy Reader: We gather during this Advent time to prepare for Christmas in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross). Reader: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God has given us many gifts and the greatest of these is Jesus at Christmas. Here we have our Star of Joy (point) and our candle (point). Now we are ready to pray. Reader: Jesus, we want to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate your birthday. We want to give you gifts. Help us to forget about ourselves for a while and think only of you. Readings Reader: In this reading from the gospel of Luke, we hear about the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. The shepherds, in the fields near the manger, saw angels who gave them a message peace and joy. Reader: A reading from the Gospel of Luke... (see the Lectionary for Masses with Children Christmas, Gospel Luke 2:1-14) Action response to the readings Reader: Jesus, our gifts to you do not cost money, but we offer our hearts and our actions by being unselfish and making others happy this Christmas. (Group 5 place their small stars on the floor around the table) Reader: Now let us make our promise. Jesus, you are our friend, we promise to share your gifts of peace and joy with others by being kind, generous and unselfish this Christmas. And we all say... All: We promise. Sign of Peace and conclusion Reader: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Play appropriate background music or sing an appropriate hymn) Reader: Jesus, help us to remember our promise to share peace and joy with others this Christmas. We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (make the Sign of the Cross).

12 12 Hymn title Composer CD Title Peace on Earth Michael Mangan This is the Time Waiting for the Child Michael Mangan This is the Time Star Child Carton R Young and Erena Murray As One Voice 2 No. 43 Preparing for Christmas: Year C Advent Ritual was produced by Brisbane Catholic Education in Teachers may copy, modify or distribute this resource freely. Text, graphics and layout: Dr Jenny Close With thanks to Kay Cantwell for content suggestions and editing, and Peter Olley for music suggestions.