A Great Light

by  Geralyn Ward

“Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus, Come and be born in our hearts….”, the  children sang with great anticipation as they processed around the atrium.  Each child carried an item for the prayer table as we began our Advent celebration.  A purple prayer cloth was first placed on the prayer table to remind us that purple is for preparation, followed by the Good Shepherd statue, Bible stand and Bible, candle, prayer card stand, an empty manger, to remind us that we are waiting for baby Jesus, and finally the Advent wreath.  

The first purple candle was lit and we sang together, “Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope.  He brings hope to every heart. He comes. He comes.”  Each week of Advent the same song will be sung at the prayer table when we light the Advent wreath.  Peace will be added for the second (purple) candle, joy for the third (pink) candle and love for the fourth (purple) candle.  

“What is a prophet?”   After we lit the Advent wreath we introduced the children to the prophet Isaiah.  Prophets are people who listen deeply and carefully to God with all their heart and speak His Message to the people.  The prophets long ago foretold the coming of a Messiah.  We presented to the children a beautiful prophecy card, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”  

During Advent, a new prophecy card will be presented every week.  Some of your children have chosen the work of tracing the prophecy cards, which they can’t wait to show you!  All artwork will be sent home prior to Christmas.

Joy, wonder, awe and excitement were expressed on the faces of the children as we pondered together the Annunciation, Luke 1: 26-38.  The catechist lit a candle and slowly read the words from the Bible.  “What did you hear?”  The peg dolls of Mary and the Archangel Gabriel along with Mary’s house and a dove for the Holy Spirit were then placed in front of the child(ren).  The same scripture verses were read for the second time from a small, handwritten book while the catechist stopped periodically to move the peg dolls.  “What did you see?”    We pondered together, “Who is this baby?”