RE News
As the season of Advent begins on 1st December, we will be learning about this in all classes.
What is Advent really all about? This is a little clip which explains Advent very simply and succinctly. It goes for about 3 minutes but is entertaining and informative as well. Advent in a nutshell. Enjoy!
Advent is the season of mercy, hope and expectation. The Advent wreath originated in Europe. It is a symbol of life in a world in the grip of a frozen winter. The evergreen reminded people that signs of life were still to be found.
The lighting of extra candles as midwinter and the shortest period of daylight approached was a reminder of God’s light in the darkness. In our Australian summer it can be difficult to imagine a time of such darkness. The Southern Cross as it lights the night sky is a pointer of direction and its Cross is a symbol of Christ as both the light and the way.
Week 1: The first candle (The Prophet’s Candle) and the first star:
The first candle reminds us of the Prophets – those special people who spoke God’s words to everyone during the hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The prophets had a special role, to speak with integrity and to shine light on the actions of the people of the time, so as to move into the future with their eyes on God.
We look to the stars in wonder – they call us as silent prophets, sentinels through time and space, reminders of the incredible moment of all creation, of our place in an integral ecology that links us to the health of every organism and challenges us to enter into the heart of what it is to be truly human.
Week 2: The Bethlehem Candle / star.
You tube: What is Advent? – all about waiting.
This is a great clip about waiting, something that we don’t always enjoy, and really difficult in our extremely busy lives, but is really important sometimes so that we can reflect on what really matters in life. Like the birth of Jesus.
The second candle brings more light because Christmas is drawing nearer, and so are we closer to the hope, mercy, peace and love. It reminds us of the time when Jesus came among us as a baby in a little town called Bethlehem. That he was a refugee from his home, vulnerable and alone. It also reminds us that we live in hope that he will come again.
In the birth and death of the stars, the building blocks of the universe are formed and spread through creation. In Jesus creation is made new and gifted with the life of God, life which does not die.
PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY BUSH FIRES
God of life and death, our prayers are where our hearts and minds have been during these last days and where they have so often been this season; with those whose lives have been touched in differing ways by the bushfires.
We pray for those who have lost their lives and their families and all who have been affected. We pray for those who have been injured and survived: for physical and emotional trauma; for the fear and hopelessness experienced; for the anger and frustration at the injustice of unavoidable disaster.
Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.
We pray for those who have lost their home and property or are facing such loss: for those who have been forced to leave their memories and belongings; for the fear and disorientation of all involved; heal them from their nightmare memories.
Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.
We pray for all involved in fighting the fire: for the Rural Fire Service and their leadership and all those we know and those we do not know; we pray for courage in a place of fear; for new strength in the face of exhaustion; for people who have travelled distances in order to resource those who experience fatigue.
Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.
We pray for all who offer support and care at this time: for the various agencies, churches and community groups; for disaster response chaplains; for government services as they are activated; for friends and neighbours, known and unknown; for aiding recovery and providing a shoulder to cry on; we give thanks too, for the generosity of many, in small and large ways, for those who are struggling.
Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.
We are mindful of the days, weeks and months ahead, for many dangerous days yet to come, for seasons of recovery and rebuilding, of homes, farms, lives and communities; we pray for strength, courage, patience and hope as grieving continues, as frustrations rise and the inevitable new changes occur.
Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.
Keep us faithful and alert in our praying and our action.
Amen.
Source: Gather Proclaim Break Send via GPBS Facebook page. 11 Nov 2019