This is the final day of Advent. Thank you for sharing the journey with us this Advent on our calendar. We hope you have enjoyed the resources and that you will be back with us next year. Happy Christmas! 

Work of Christmas Begins

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…

And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.

— Howard Thurman, adapted

Readings for Tuesday 24 December 2019 (4th Week of Advent) 

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. Ps 88:2-5, 27, 29, R/ cf v 2. Lk 1:67-79 www.catholicbishops.ie/readings 

The birth of John the Baptist is a cause of joy for relations and neighbours. ‘King of the peoples and cornerstone of the Church, come and save those whom you made from the dust of the earth.’

Audio: Advent Thought for the Day

Each day during Advent we are bringing you an audio Thought for the Day on a different theme. Today’s Thought for the Day is a prayer for those away from home this Christmas. 

Click below to listen to the audio. 

The Words of Pope Francis 

“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world.  The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”.

Thus begins the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit (Christ is alive) by Pope Francis published in April.  This year’s Advent Calendar is featuring Pope Francis’ words from Christus vivit which he has addressed to young people , and to the entire People of God and published on 2 April 2019. 

Pope Francis to young people: ‘listen to your grandparents’

Pope Francis has encouraged young Catholics to cultivate their relationships with their grandparents. Addressing  a group of young people who belong to an Italian Catholic lay association called ‘Azione Cattolica Italiana’, the Pope spoke of the joy that derives from the coming of Jesus, and said that joy is increased and multiplied when we share it.

He invited the young people to receive the joy of Advent as they would receive a gift and to bear witness to it in their families, schools, parishes and in all places. The Pope especially invited them to share it with their grandparents – and with elderly people in general – and he encouraged them to listen to the aged whom, he said, “have the wisdom of life”.

“I would like to give you a task: speak to your grandparents,(…) ask them questions, they have the memory of history, the experience of living, and this is a great gift for you that will help you in your life journey” he said. And Francis also pointed out the grandparents themselves need “to listen to you, understand your aspirations and your hopes”

“This is your task: speak to your grandparents, listen to them” he said. 

 

#LivingAdvent 2019

During Advent are sharing family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that all of us are encouraged to undertake during the month of December. The Advent Calendar is also also offering tips on how families can care for our common home by having a more sustainable Christmas. 

Advent Random Act of Kindness 

Pick up the phone to someone you have not been in touch with for a while. 

Advent Act of Charity 

Consider giving what you can to support homeless families this Christmas. There are food banks in a lot of parishes and they all need extra help at this time of year. 

Living Advent by Caring for Our Common Home 

Limit the use of energy resources by turning off Christmas tree and other outdoor lights before you go to bed at night or put them on a timer. 

Living Advent by welcoming Migrants and Refugees

At home, at school, at work, wherever we go today, let us be committed to welcoming the vulnerabilities of our brothers and sisters with whom we come into contact.

Advent Prayers

Praise for the Gift of Life

God of Love, we praise and thank you
for the wonderful gift of life.
Help us to cherish that gift in ourselves and in all
whom we meet.

child and mothers hand for web
Bless all children that they may know
the joy of being alive and that we may
help them towards a great future.

Bless all young men and women,
be with them through these years
of change in their bodies, their priorities,
their relationships,  so that nothing may damage
their joy and their hope.

Bless all couples preparing for marriage.
Help them to cherish each other more every day.
And give them the courage to put their love for
each other first so that their lives may
be full and their marriages happy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Family Table Prayer for Christmas Day

This is a Family Prayer for use at meals on Christmas Day and during the Season of Christmas.

Prayer Intentions

1. We pray for peace;
that enemies may lay down their weapons
and strive to build peace together.

2. We pray for all those who are travelling over Christmas
that each person may arrive safely to his or her destination.

3. For those for whom Christmas is a time of sadness, darkness
or despair;
that they may receive our love, compassion,
healing and consolation.

4. We pray for our Holy Father Pope Francis and for
all Church leaders in our country and our community.

Father in heaven, you sent your Son to live among us as a man,
one who understands our needs. Grant us what we need today.
We make these, and all our prayers, through Christ our Lord.
Amen

God’s Love Has Been Given To Us

God,
your love
has been
poured into
our hearts
through
the Holy Spirit
who has
been given to us.

Source: Rev Peter Murphy from The Family Prayer Book

Poem – The Present

Today we share the Christy Keneally poem The Present which is read by Cathal Tobin, a sixth class student from Saint Conleth and Mary’s Primary School in Newbridge, Co Kildare. 

Advent Music

Silent Night 

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glory streams from heaven afar
Heavenly, hosts sings Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.