Advent is concerned with that very Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a memory of the God who became a child. This healing memory; it brings child. This healing memory; it brings hope. hope.

Joseph Cardinal Joseph Cardinal RatzingerRatzinger

Seek That Which is Seek That Which is AboveAbove, 1986, 1986

(3)(3) A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!a highway for our God!

(4)(4) Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.broad valley.

(5)(5) Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.mouth of the Lord has spoken.

• Indiana Candy Maker → candy about Jesus.

• Started with a stick of:

Pure White candy = Virgin Birth and Sinless nature of Jesus

Hard candy = Solid rock, foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God

• Shaped in a “J” = Jesus, or a shepherd’s staff.

•Stained it with red stripes → 1 large red stripe for the blood shed.

Matthew 1:23Matthew 1:23

““Behold, the virgin shall be Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and with child and bear a son, and

they shall name him they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, ‘God Emmanuel, which means, ‘God

is with us’.”is with us’.”

• Called the “Flame Leaf” in Called the “Flame Leaf” in Central America or “Flower of Central America or “Flower of the Holy Night”the Holy Night”

• First brought to U.S. over 100 First brought to U.S. over 100 yrs. ago by Dr. Joel Poinsett, yrs. ago by Dr. Joel Poinsett, our first ambassador to our first ambassador to Mexico.Mexico.

• There is a legend associated There is a legend associated with the poinsettia.with the poinsettia.

•Ad-venio means “to come to”Ad-venio means “to come to”

•Begins on the Sunday nearest to the Feast Begins on the Sunday nearest to the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov. 30)of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov. 30)

•Advent lasts 28 daysAdvent lasts 28 days

•Begins the Ecclesiatical or Liturgical Year Begins the Ecclesiatical or Liturgical Year in the Western Churchesin the Western Churches

 Green - Ordinary Time

Violet - Advent and Lent

 Red - Martyrs, Palm Sunday, Pentecost and Confirmations

 White - Easter, Feast , Memorial, Solemnity, Funeral (optional) (o

Rose - 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent

 Black - Funeral (optional) and All Souls

• Christmas is celebrated on December 25, during the Summer.

• Starting weeks in advance, everyone starts to gather loaves of bread, jam, tea, and sugar for Christmas dinner.

• People usually attend an early morning church service and sometimes a feast is held for the members of the church - fresh roast ox or goat, and cornmeal porridge.

HistoricHistoricalal

MystericMystericalal

MajesticMajesticalal

In Russia, Baboushka is a witch that visits the In Russia, Baboushka is a witch that visits the children who have been good on Christmas Eve. children who have been good on Christmas Eve. She was the one who told the 3 wise men to go a She was the one who told the 3 wise men to go a different way home. If she didn’t, the King Herod different way home. If she didn’t, the King Herod would have found the baby Jesus and killed him. would have found the baby Jesus and killed him. Russia also has Grandfather Frost, the inventor of Russia also has Grandfather Frost, the inventor of snow.snow.

Ever have an imaginary Ever have an imaginary friend?friend?

Holy SpiritHoly Spirit

How the Spirit guided us How the Spirit guided us in the Early Church and in the Early Church and how It guides us Todayhow It guides us Today

Ever made a pact with Ever made a pact with someone?someone?

CovenaCovenantnt

A solemn promise, A solemn promise, agreement or contract.agreement or contract.

Sinai Desert [Exodus Sinai Desert [Exodus 19:3-8]19:3-8]

Last SupperLast Supper

PentecoPentecostst

New Covenant with God - New Covenant with God - BaptismBaptism

How did the Holy Spirit How did the Holy Spirit change the apostles?change the apostles?

FAITH COMMUNITY – 4 FAITH COMMUNITY – 4 CharacteristicsCharacteristics

CommuniCommunityty

Early ChurchEarly Church

Learning to Learning to DriveDrive

How is Confirmation How is Confirmation “more than” Baptism?“more than” Baptism?

Why only once?Why only once?

Why is Why is Eucharist the fullness of Eucharist the fullness of belonging?belonging?

ChrisChrismm

Laying on of Laying on of HandsHands

BishoBishopp

CrosCrosss

““Be Be Sealed”Sealed”

How can you get ready?How can you get ready?