Welcome to Day 5 of our Advent Calendar!
During the 22 days of Advent, new content will be available each day behind the calendar’s doors.
Season of Advent
Advent is the four-week season before Christmas during which we prepare for the coming of Christ. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope, which has a twofold character as:
- A time of preparation for the Solemnities of the Christmas season, in which the first coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered; and,
- A time when – by remembrance of this – our minds and hearts look forward to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
Our digital Advent calendar is a helpful resource for our ‘journey’ towards Christmas. Each day, by clicking on a virtual door, we are inviting you to take a few minutes to avail of our resources to rediscover the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
A video message from Trócaire Ceo, Caoimhe de Barra
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intention for the Day to Pray Together
We pray for peace, especially in countries ravaged by war; that nation will not lift sword against nation and the weapons of war may be replaced by instruments of peace.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
Prayer for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree
This is a short prayer of blessing to be prayed just before the lights are lit for the first time on the Christmas tree and it can be used in schools, homes or places of work:
Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Kids’ Corner!
Each day of Advent you will find fun activities for children to enjoy and learn more about the Season of Advent! Print out this snowy landscape and colour it in however you like!
To print: click on the link below to open a new page, then select “print” to print out the page for colouring.
ENDS
