Some people are unsure of the meaning of Advent. This short video might help you understand it better.

The Twelve Days of Christmas
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me”
A partridge in a pear tree

This is a symbol of Christ himself or, as Luke saw it, the imagery of a bird sheltering a battered Jerusalem under its wing, a gift for the Middle East still in need of peace.
Men and women, gather in the Heritage Room around an advent setting of fresh pine boughs, unscented candles and the aroma of hot Christmas drinks and step into another time, another world to explore the origins and meaning today of this season through the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas’” Some sources purport this English song was used hundreds of years ago as an underground Christian catechism to help children learn the tenets of their faith.

A Resource guide to our study, compiled by the Rector will be available on the first Sunday of Advent.  A donation of a toonie towards the cost of printing is appreciated.  Anyone able to bring some Christmas cookies or crackers and cheese, thank you!!!

The Legend of the Candy Cane
Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus, My Lord, that's for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me

Prayer for Advent
In the long nights of December,
We listen, Lord, for the words you speak.
How can we hear you
When the markets and machines are so loud,
When the sellers and the entertainers
clamor for our every attention?
Still we would listen for you
And hear of wars so we may long for peace, And hear of oppression
So we may long for justice,
And hear of hunger so we may long for you. Then make a path, O God,
So righteousness and peace
Shall meet and shall kiss
And with that kiss, with that glory,
Shall we and this good creation
Praise and bless your coming. Amen.

Families Celebrating Advent with young children
The first Sunday of Advent is almost here. Some of us have dusted off our Advent wreaths, bought new candles and prepared to begin the celebration. Many of us however are new to this celebration and aren’t sure what to do. Especially if you are celebrating with children you may be a little uncertain what to do to make this a fun and instructive time without entering into the consumer frenzy. Here is one idea to help kids refocus on the real meaning of Christmas.

Gifts for Jesus
On the first Sunday of Advent, each child in the family receives an empty manger. An oatmeal box covered with bright paper will do as well. At bedtime, the children draw straws for each kind deed performed in honor of Baby Jesus as his birthday surprise.
The straw is placed in the child’s manger or box daily. It is amazing how much love a child can put into Advent when they are preparing for his redeemer’s coming in grace.

On Christmas, each child finds an infant in his manger, placed on a small table or a chair beside his or her bed. Usually it is a tiny doll, beautifully dressed. This custom fills the child with a longing in Advent, and provides an image of the redeemer as the first happy glance in the morning and the last impression at night during the entire Christmas season.

Advent Wreath Song
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright; A candle of Hope in December's dark night.
While Joseph dreams deeply under heav'n's starry sky Our hearts we prepare now, for Jesus is nigh.

A candle is burning, a candle of Peace; A candle to signal that fighting must cease. For Jesus is coming to show us the way; A message of Peace humbly laid in the hay.

A candle is burning, a candle of Joy; A candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy. Our hearts fill with wonder and eyes light and glow, as Joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.

A candle is burning, a candle of Love; A candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth; For Jesus is bringing God's Love to our earth.