Sunday 27 November 2011

1st Sunday in Advent



Today is the first Sunday in Advent

But hang on my advent calendar does not start until December the 1st, so why is today Advent Sunday?
Well Advent is a time of preparation

The season of Advent - which this year starts on 27 November - marks the start of the Church calendar and traces the preparation of God's people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Its symbols are the Tau ('T' cross) of anticipation, and the Advent Wreath, in which are placed five candles, which are lit one for each Sunday, and the last on Christmas Day. They symbolise mankind's journey from relative darkness to the Light that has come to enlighten all people - the Word, who is Christ. These symbols and themes, with hymns and other special music, together with the deep liturgical colours of the season, violet and blue, belong to the Church's ancient tradition, and help us engage our senses as well as our minds and hearts in preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth.



This is doing the Facebook rounds at the moment and as today I particularly wanted to share about Advent it seemed appropriate to post on here I hope you enjoy it .

For the first time I have put my nativity up on Advent Sunday for some reason before I have always put it up on Dec 1st .


This the willow tree nativity and three wise men that my Dad gave me for Christmas and my birthday last year . I have given my beautiful old one to Chris and Gemma .
The simplicity of these are really special , I hope to collect the rest at some stage .

Well as I go and think about Advent I hope that this has been food for thought for you



And finally I received this in an email from a friend .


REMEMBER:







Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.








2 comments:

Jackie said...

Hi Tracy! Thanks for reminding me after watching the video I almost forgot to put out my advent wreath but I will do that right now :)

I like your nativity set and the riddle/poem too . It's a pleasure to see you again , take care and God bless you this Advent Season .

Chatty Crone said...

I enjoyed your post today - thanks for getting us ready - the RIGHT way - for Christmas.

sandie