Second Week of Advent

As Advent continues, God of all peace,

shine your light on us. 

May – hope, peace, joy, love – 

take hold in our hearts and stretch 

towards the light.

We light a candle for peace. 

May it light the way.

This week is the Second Week of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. 

Each morning we have gathered as a school community in the courtyard and our Faith and Social Justice Captains have led us in prayer. We have lit the candles of hope and peace and prayed that like John the Baptist we will lead others to follow Jesus, that we will light the way of Christ as we await his coming at Christmas.

Our readings this week talk of preparation and conversion. During Advent we are preparing not only for the celebration of Christ at Christmas, but for the second coming of Christ. Like John the Baptist, we must prepare the way of the Lord.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the prophet Isaiah wrote:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you.

    He will prepare your way.” 

“There is a voice of a man who

    calls out in the desert:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord.

    Make the road straight for him.’”

John was baptizing people in the desert. He preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins. All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to John. They told about the sins they had done. Then they were baptised by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothes made from camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 

This is what John preached to the people: “There is one coming later who is greater than I. I am not good enough even to kneel down and untie his sandals. 

I baptise you with water. But the one who is coming will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Regards

Jo Cowan

Religious Education Leader