1. Important celebrations in one’s life… Merry Christmas happy birthday happy valentines happy anniversary

6. How should we prepare for the coming or arrival of Jesus? What does the scripture say about this ? Matthew 3 : 1 - 12 “ John the Baptist foretells the coming of Jesus “

7. Matthew 3 : 1-12 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea saying, “ Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand ! “ A voice of the one crying in the wilderness, “ Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. Every tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down and thrown into fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is Mightier than I. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He will gather His wheat into His barn,But the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. “

8. What does the reading tell us about our preparation this advent season? + + Proclamation of the coming of the Messiah into our midst + + Reminds us to undergo conversion, if not we will be cut and thrown into fire Who is John the Baptist in your life ? What does he tells us? + + Everything he says reminds us to walk the straight path leading to God What do you usually feel when your attitudes are being corrected ? + We sometimes hate them because we don’t want anybody interfer what we used to do. Do you think they have good reason to remind us ? + Like John the Baptist, they tell us simple message: If we will change our ways and follow the attitudes of Jesus, then, the Kingdom of God has come !

9. What is ADVENT SEASON? The beginning of the Liturgical year and a time of expectation of joyous anticipation. Anticipates the Birth of Jesus and His Second Coming (Parousia) It came from the word “Adventus” which means COMING or ARRIVAL and refers to the coming of Jesus as the “Word Incarnate- became human” A time to deepen our awareness of the coming of Jesus Christ-His presence in the world- to bring hope and salvation from sin. MARANATHA! Come Lord Jesus!

11. As christians, in what way do we express our preparation for the Coming of Jesus this season of Advent ? + + Through lighting the Advent Wreath and prayers What is in the Advent Wreath that we care about as christians ? It is a band of evergreen-style foliage curled or twisted into a circle, and decorated with four candles and other festive materials. + + Through Confession to be reconciled to God and to our neighbor

12. Advent Wreath

13. Round wreath expresses God’s eternity with a CIRCLE That has no END and has no BEGINNING : meaning our LIFE with GOD keeps going and He keeps loving us !

14. The Green Leaves symbolize Lively HOPE . It reminds us that God’s love never change.

15. The FOUR candles reminds us of the four weeks of Advent A room for HOPE Expectation of the Savior Joy and Praise Consolation And acceptance VIOLET – Penance and Repentance: Thinking why Jesus was born. Remembering our ingratitude to God and feeling sorry for our sins. PINK- it means REJOICING for the coming of the Lord is near. (Gaudete Sunday) The four candles are lighted to indicate that light and human hope increase as the birth of Jesus gets closer.

16. Advent Wreath

17. REFLECTIONS : + + How did I live my life in the past days ? A Good life or a sinful life ? + + What will I do to please Jesus as preparation for His coming ? Am I willing to do what the Holy Spirit wants me to do? + + Am I sorry for the sins I have committed and ask God for forgiveness ? + + Do I follow the words of my parents, teachers, and elders as the John the Baptist of my life ?

18. PRAYER: Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts for the coming of your Son. Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins, so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.