This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is observed for the month of December, in the lead-up to Christmas. The first Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Calendar.

The word "advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus", which means "coming" or "arrival". Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. We prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the anniversary of the first coming of Jesus to us. We also prepare for him to come again at our death or at the end of time.

The Sunday readings in Advent reflect these themes of waiting, longing and hope for the coming of Jesus. The readings of the First Sunday of Advent look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. On the Second and Third Sundays the readings are about the role of John the Baptist who came to 'prepare the way of the Lord'. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent the Gospel is about the events which lead up to and follow the birth of Jesus.

The liturgical colour worn of Advent is purple but it is a time of joyful preparation rather than being a penitential season. Purple was once the colour of royalty and it is used in Advent to signify the coming of Christ and his kingdom.

(Excerpt taken from :http://www.catholic.org.nz)

Our Religious Education curriculum includes the teaching of Advent and Christmas

In the student’s study of these liturgical events, they will gain and apply knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to understand:

• Preparing for the birth of Jesus/ Understanding the Christmas Story

• Understanding that Advent is time for Waiting / Explaining the symbols of the Christmas Story

• The Advent Wreath / Jesus is God’s greatest Gift

• The Meaning of Advent / Making room for Christ at Christmas

• The People of Advent / The Feast of Christmas and the Epiphany

Below is a summary of the teaching that will happen in each class in term 4:

Korora: Mary and Joseph getting ready for the Birth of Jesus / The Christmas Story

• Identifying and describing how Mary and Joseph prepared for the Birth of Jesus

• Identify how our school and parish prepares for Jesus’ birth.

• Naming the important people in the Christmas Story

Kea: Advent is a time for family whanau to prepare for Christmas / The Season of Christmas is a Celebration Season

• Recognise that Advent is a time for waiting

• Identify who people are waiting for in Advent

• Identify symbols of Advent that belong to waiting time

• Retell the story of the first Christmas crib

Kakapo: Preparing for the Coming of Jesus / God gave the world the Greatest Gift of all.

• Identify the people who were part of the Whakapapa of Jesus and who prepared the way for his coming

• Identify the family, whanau, school and parish or pastoral care who prepare for the coming of Jesus

• Recognise that the traditional symbols of the Advent wreath can be adapted to the place and season they are being used in.

• Identify and understand that Jesus is God’s greatest gift to all people

Piwakawaka/Ruru: The Meaning of Advent / Keeping Christ in Christmas

• Identify the symbols used in the church to show it is the season of Advent

• Identify the way in which people prepare themselves for the celebration of Christmas

• Recognise that the Jesse tree tells the story of the people who prepared for the coming of Messiah

• Identify the ways that Christmas is a feast and a season

Tui / Whio: The Message of Advent / The Feast of Christmas

• Explains what Christians prepare for during Advent

• Identify ways Christians could prepare to receive Christ more fully in their lives during Advent.

• Recognise that the feast of Christmas celebrates the mystery of God Te Atua becoming human Tangata.