RCIA – Prepare for Advent! – St Gregorys Church

So how do I get ready?

This is the start of the journey of a new year...

There is rightly a big emphasis on the story of the Nativity – but just as the world changed at that first Christmas (so that we count all our dates based on this event).... we need to be open to allow God to change our hearts/behaviour/thoughts each year as we grow ever closer to Him. The real message of Christmas is that God loves us that He was prepared to live with us – so that he could die painful death to save/redeem us. We need to focus on what is important – we need to give ourselves time to prepare properly. This is not about glitter and parties – though they have their place – but about the real meaning of Christmas. It is a time of excitement- getting ready and preparing – and just like we’d prepare for any other guest we need to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ presence in the world – HE came for ME.

Prayer -

Making a bit of time- to be still to build up the relationship with Jesus – time to listen to Him

Prayer focus

Candle – advent wreath - advcent wreath prayer – sheet - reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and is in the world now – but we are focussing on him coming again- a new coming – deepening our relationship with Him
Scriptures – stories leading to the birth of Jesus – and early life of Jesus - Gospels
John the Baptist
Advent calendar – especially the ‘real Advent Calendar’ with story/scriptures
Reflections Daily
Parish website Daily Reflection – St Gregorys Church
CAFOD https://cafod.org.uk/pray
Carve out some quiet time = you and God time- and stick to it!!!
Crib – – simplicity and meditate in front of it.
Can we bring the Nativity story into our family celebrations ?
Crib – re-read and reflect on the story-
meditation – imagine how it felt to be innkeeper, shepherd, Mary, Joseph
Carol singing – as a prayer in itself – or reach out to support charity – or those in nursing homes. Monkscroft nursing home 17th Dec 18.00 – Christian Aid 13rd Dec 12.00 TTE 22nd December 10.15 at Waitrose
Advent Service 12th Dec at Sacred Hearts , 19th December at StG
Join a Choir at Christmas???

Good works/acting out our faith

Thinking or and supporting those in need –eg charity Christmas cards

Making an effort with family/friends - do a good thing rather than eleborate gift
But Gifts are good too - make people aware of your love for them.
Making time for people
Preparing in your family
Reflect what we can do to bring true love/peace to our families at Christmas –
What situations can we make better – \
How to show our appreciation

Going a bit deeper

Courses Advent Course (4 weeks) - Sycamore

https://www.sycamore.fm/.../b-formation.../advent-course/

For practising Christians, or for people with some Christian background, who wish to renew their faith in the Season of Advent. For use in churches, parishes, school staff rooms, school parent groups, etc.

The focus of these sessions is on our search for God in life (Film 1) and in prayer (Film 8), and how God reaches out to us in history (Film 3) and through the Bible (Film 6).

Closing prayer – The Nunc Dimitis

Jesus was recognised as the sign of new life- the Messiah by Simeon and Anna when we was a few days old – and brought to the Temple for dedication as the eldest child of Mary....

Prayer of Simeon – Luke 2 - Read it slowly, line by Line. Imagine you are Simion, meeting your saviour Jesus for the first time, whom you have been awaiting all of your long life:

Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

At last, all-powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise.

For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all nations,

the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.