November 2021 
Theme: Advent

Opening Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this special season in the Church
in which we prepare our hearts for the fulfillment of your plan of salvation.
Lord Jesus, we ask for the grace to examine our hearts,
repent of our sins, and seek forgiveness from you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Holy Spirit, help us to enter fully into this Advent season
and draw us into deeper, prayerful communion with you and with one another.
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                                                 

Introduction:

Advent is a time of slowing down, preparation, and anticipation. Advent, literally means “to come into being or use.” Jesus, who is God, came into being as a tiny baby born in manger to a young girl and her husband. Jesus came into being for one reason---to die for our sins so that one day we can be with him in heaven.

Watch:

Advent: Prepare the Way Session 1 on the FORMED platform. Video Link
https://watch.formed.org/advent-1/season:1/videos/prepare-the-way-by-bob-rice
If you are not able to view video please sign up for Formed by following the directions with this link. 

• Watch first segment of the video and pause video for group discussion when prompted. 
• Read Psalm 13 as a family
• Discuss the following questions:
  • What would the world be like if Jesus (Messiah) had not been born?
  • How does the tradition of the Advent wreath serve to prepare our hearts for Christmas?

• Watch the second segment of the video and pause video for group discussion when prompted.
• Read Matthew 3: 1-17
• Discuss the following question:
  • How does what John the Baptist said back then apply to us today?

• Watch third segment of the video and pause video for group discussion when prompted.
• Read Luke 12:35-40
• Discuss the following question:
  • How are you preparing for Jesus’ coming into your hearts this Advent season?

• Watch the fourth segment of the video and pause video for group discussion when prompted.
• Read Matthew 6: 24-34
• Discuss the following question:
  • How does this passage help us focus our attention during Advent?

• Watch the fifth segment of the video. 
• Discuss the following question:
  • In what ways does Advent help us focus on Jesus being the reason for the Christmas season and not Santa and toys and material things?

Activity:

As a family, build your own Advent wreath. Get creative! However, the wreath must contain the following symbols:

•  The wreath must be round to symbolize God’s never-ending love for us.
•  The wreath must contain evergreen boughs to symbolize everlasting life with Jesus in Heaven.
•  The candles** symbolize Jesus as the Light of the World.

The 4 candles symbolize each week of Advent (3 purple candles for preparation/hope, prayer/love, and penance/peace) and the one pink candle (rejoice/joy).  

**Candles will be given each Sunday (Saturday evening) of Advent. When you attend Mass you can take a candle and a blessing to take home and add to your wreath. By the end of Advent your wreath will be complete.

*Challenge:

Take a picture with your family and family made wreath and submit it to Amy Bolle, the Director of Discipleship Formation. It will be shared on our website and FB page so please give permission to publish.

• *After the 4^th week of Advent take another picture to submit the completed Advent Wreath

Closing Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Choose one person from your family to lead the prayer. *Families with small children might have them echo back each line.

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice
which announces his glory and open our minds
to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(All prayers and discussion materials taken from the FORMED Advent Prepare the Way Participant guide)