Religious Education 

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This Sunday marks the First Sunday of Advent marking the beginning of the Christian Liturgical Calendar Year. The Season of Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. It is an exciting time of the year when we set up our Christmas Tree, hang lights, decorate our homes and prepare for visitors.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ which means ‘Coming’ or ‘Visit’. There are four Advent candles, three purple and one rose. each coming with a symbolic message that represents one of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. 

In brief; The candles are placed within a wreath which signifies continuous life. No beginning or end, it symbolises the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ. 

We light one candle each Sunday beginning with Purple (Hope), Purple (Peace) Pink (Joy) and Purple (Love). On Christmas Eve we include a fifth white “Christ” candle, known as ‘Christ Candle’. The colour WHITE signifies purity and it represents the life of Christ that has come into the world.

The Advent Season is the time individuals, families and faith communities prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of Christ in the world as it is today. A time to remember, through prayer, reflection, special music, and good deeds on what is the true meaning, and why we celebrate Christmas Day. 

Go gently during this time as we prepare and wait patiently for Christmas Day to arrive. 

MAKING A SCENE AT CHRISTMAS

Yesterday our Year 6 classes had the opportunity to view over 300 Nativity scenes on display at  the Uniting Hall in Colac. They also had the opportunity to see and smell frankincense and myrrh, hold a Roman coin minted around the same time Jesus was born and see an oil lamp that also dates around the time of Jesus birth. 

Special thank you to Fiona Tonkin and Kay Paton from the Ballarat Catholic Diocese for making it possible for us to have this Christmas experience. 

For the rest of the week, each class has organised time to enjoy their own nativity experience.

Julie Leonard - Religious Education Leader & Wellbeing Leader