Home celebration and prayer: A journey through Advent

What is Advent?

Advent is a special season in the Church's year when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and is a time of hope, waiting and joyful expectation.

During Advent, we remember God's promise to send His Son and look forward to welcoming Jesus into our lives once again. It is a season of prayer, reflection and preparation, encouraging us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus through acts of kindness, generosity and love.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent Wreath is an important symbol of this holy season. The evergreen wreath reminds us of God's everlasting love, while the candles represent Jesus, the Light of the World, bringing hope to all people.

Each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit as we journey towards Christmas:

• First Sunday: Candle of Hope

• Second Sunday: Candle of Peace

• Third Sunday: Candle of Joy (Pink Candle)

• Fourth Sunday: Candle of Love

• Christmas Day: The Christ Candle (White)

As each candle is lit, we are reminded that the light of Christ grows brighter as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Advent at St Julie's

Throughout Advent, our school community comes together to prepare for the celebration of Christmas through prayer, worship and acts of service.

Our Advent journey begins with our Parish Advent Service, held on or around the First Sunday of Advent. Children, families and parishioners gather together to begin this holy season in prayer, reflecting on the hope and promise of Christ's coming.

As part of the service, each child writes an Advent Promise—a personal commitment to grow closer to Jesus through prayer, kindness, generosity or service during Advent. These promises are shared during the service as children read them aloud and place them before the altar as a sign of their commitment to prepare their hearts for Christmas.

Throughout Advent, children also take part in:

• weekly Celebration of the Word centred on the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

• lighting the Advent Wreath each week

• Advent liturgies and prayer services

• Christmas performances and Nativity celebrations

• charitable fundraising and acts of kindness

• opportunities for quiet prayer and reflection

Please look out for details of our Advent celebrations in the school bulletin. Our parish bulletin, available through the school website, also keeps families informed about Advent and Christmas Masses, services and parish events.

Advent at Home – Posada (Travelling Crib)

As part of our Advent journey, we are delighted to continue the beautiful tradition of the Posada, or Travelling Crib.

The word Posada means "inn" in Spanish. This tradition remembers Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem as they searched for a place to stay before the birth of Jesus.

During Advent, the Posada figures of Mary and Joseph travel from one family to another within our school community. Each family is invited to welcome them into their home for one evening, spending time together in prayer and reflection before passing them on to the next family.

Each Posada bag includes prayers, Scripture readings and simple family activities to help everyone prepare spiritually for Christmas. This treasured tradition reminds us to make room for Jesus in our hearts, our homes and our daily lives.

Thank you for helping us keep Christ at the centre of Christmas as we journey together through this joyful season of hope.

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