I am grateful to the various sites from where I picked up ideas for the write-ups, images and videos that happened to touch my heart while preparing myself and my children on this Advent journey in faith .. I have tried giving credits where I could.. I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs. My sincere apologies if I have not given due credit in all places. - Sabrina D'Mello
Countdown
to Christmas ..
(Credits : https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html)
Let’s
watch the Scriptures Luke 1:57-63
Reflection
Finally
God's promise was fulfilled and Elizabeth gave birth to a son. And all
the neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her. It is a duty of humanity
or brotherly love, which requires us with sincerity to rejoice in the welfare
and happiness of our neighbours.
Eight
days later, as was customary during those days, the child had to be circumcized
and given a name. Baptism has been substituted for circumcision, and should not
be neglected as it is a token of spiritual grace. The neighbours and family
wanted to name him after his father as it was traditional. But Elizabeth
refused. Remembering the words of the angel to Zechariah, she said that
his name would be John. For her, this baby was not just a gift to the family
but to the whole world. Then the neighbors asked Zechariah what name he wanted
to give the child. Zechariah immediately got his writing tablet and
with total faith wrote, “His name is John.”
What a
difference from nine months ago. Then he was filled with doubt, skepticism and
hopelessness. The time John was growing in Elizabeth’s womb, and those three
months with Mary and her special Child were more than enough to renew
Zechariah’s flagging faith. Now with great confidence and boldness, Zechariah
gives his son the name the angel had said.
Christmas Symbol :
Poinsettia
The
Poinsettia is known as the “Christmas star” or the "Christmas
flower." In 1826, while serving as the first US Ambassador to Mexico,
Poinsett noticed the poinsettia by the side of a road in Southern Mexico.
Fascinated by the leaves, Poinsett brought it back to his greenhouse in South
Carolina. Later the Mexicans converted to Christianity as a result of the work
of missionaries and became the first to celebrate the poinsettia's Christian
meaning. They saw the poinsettia's red leaves as symbols of a deep love
for Jesus.
Today
choose and pray for a missionary somewhere around the world. They love to know
that they are being prayed for and thought about.
Prayer
Lord,
thank you so much for the missionaries around the world who have devoted their
lives to sharing the Good News with those who have not heard. Please protect
them and give them strength, guide their words and guard their families so that
you may use them to the fullest. Give me the boldness to also do the same.
Amen.
Let’s
sing along with this carol -
What
Child is This (Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQWKjTvPgiM)
Snowflakes are kisses from Heaven.
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