22ndnd Sunday of Advent Sunday of Advent

Advent means ‘the coming’ of something.

Christians haveFOUR Sundays to get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Last week we lit our first candle; the candle of Hope and we remembered the hope that we have in Jesus

Today we are going to light the candle of Peace

As we light this candle we celebrate the peace that we find in Jesus.

Alleluia, AlleluiaChrist is coming.

HE IS COMING INDEED, ALLELUIA!

And so we gather, +In the name of the Father…

Silent night, holy nightAll is calm, all is brightRound the Virgin Mother and ChildHoly Infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!Shepherds quake at the sightGlories stream from heaven afarHeavenly hosts sing Alleluia!Christ, the Saviour is bornChrist, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy nightSon of God, love's pure lightRadiant beams from your holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming graceJesus, Lord, at your birthJesus, Lord, at your birth

Opening Prayer

God, you saved the world from sin by sending Jesus to be our Saviour. We are ready to receive the Son of God into our lives.

AMEN

You bring us together to pray in one loving family. Lord have mercyLord, have mercy.

You came to proclaim the Good News to the world. Christ have mercyChrist, have mercy.

You came to lead us away from sin. Lord have mercyLord, have mercy.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Glory to you, oh Lord

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Time to reflect on what we have heard in our Gospel today.

I wonder what you heard in the Gospel today?

Why do we need to turn away from sin?

How can we ask God’s forgiveness?

Ritual Response

We would like a member of each class to collect a Christmas bauble to hang on your classroom Christmas tree. On the baubles are qualities and values that lead us closer to God.

As brothers and sisters in one loving family, together let us pray to our heavenly father.

The response is sung: Lord hear our prayer

We pray that people everywhere will follow a straight and lovingpath through life. Lord hear our prayer

That with our help the homeless and hungry receiveshelter and food they need. Lord hear our prayer

That we share the joy of Gods love with everyone wemeet. Lord hear our prayer

That we may prepare a welcome for Christ in our hearts and ourhomes. Lord hear our prayer.

Knowing that our heavenly fathers are listening, in the silence of ourhearts let us share our own unspoken prayers with him.

Let us pray together.

Loving Father, Hear our prayer and guide us along the straight paths which lead us to you. We ask this Christ your Son.

Amen

We three kings of Orient areBearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountainFollowing yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plainGold I bring to crown Him againKing forever, ceasing neverOver us all to reign

O Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have IIncense owns a Deity nighPrayer and praising, all men raisingWorship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeBreathes of life of gathering gloomSorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dyingSealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him ariseKing and God and SacrificeAlleluia, AlleluiaEarth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to Thy perfect light