3-24 December: "Come Lord Jesus."

During Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as our Savior, we celebrate our God Emmanuel who dwells among us and we anticipate his promised Second Coming at a future time. Amid the four weeks of Christmas preparations, let’s look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season every single day. 

‘Awaken! Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! The one true God, "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob," is not a God who is there in Heaven, unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-God-who-comes.'

Pope Benedict XVI, Celebration of First Vespers of Advent, Vatican Basilica, December 2006

3 December - First Sunday of Advent

Entrance Antiphon

To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you I have trusted; let me not be put to shame.

Cf. Ps 24: 1-3

Readings

Is 63:16-17; 64:1,3-8:  Oh that you would tear the heavens apart and come down.

Ps 79: 2-3,15-16, 18-19  R. Lord make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

1 Cor 1:3-9:   The revelation we looked for, Christ Jesus our Lord.

Alleluia alleluia! Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia!

Mk 13: 33-37:   Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come.

Homily Studio podcast 

During the week leading up to this Sunday listen to a 30-minute conversation at this Food for Faith link.

Suggestion for a Prayer of Intercession

For the grace of attentiveness: that we may be aware of the signs of the times and that the Spirit will shake us from our complacency to live fully each day.

R. E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Hymn Suggestion 

Wake, Awake For Night is Flying.

10 December - Second Sunday of Advent

Entrance Antiphon

O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart. Cf. Is 30: 19, 30

Readings

Is 40:1-5,9-11  A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!

Ps 85:9-10-11-12,13-14.  R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

2 Ptr 3:8-14  According to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Mk 1: 1-8  I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Homily Studio podcast 

During the week leading up to this Sunday listen to a 30-minute conversation at this Food For Faith link.

Suggestion for a Prayer of Intercession

For Forgiveness and Healing: that God will mend the broken, care for the wounded and reunite the divisions within our lives so that we can flourish as intentional disciples.

R. E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Hymn Suggestion

On Jordan’s Bank.

17 December - Third Sunday of Advent 

Entrance Antiphon

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near. Phil 4: 4-5

Readings

Is 61:1-2A,10-11  I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice

Psalm    Lk 1:46-48, 49-50,53-54  R. My soul rejoices in my God.

1 Thes 5:16-24  Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia, alleluia. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Alleluia, alleluia.

John 1:6-8, 19-28  I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”

Homily Studio podcast

During the week leading up to this Sunday listen to a 30-minute conversation at this Food for Faith link.

Suggestion for a Prayer of Intercession

For the prophets today: that through the Spirit of God and the fire which fuels their message, call all to face the truth, inspiring us to leave behind the old ways and to live and act in new ways, with justice and peace.

R. E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Hymn Suggestion 

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.

This is Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice!

The Introit for Gaudete Sunday, in both the traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo (the new order of the Mass) is taken from Philippians 4:4,5 ‘Gaudete in Domino semper’, or ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’

Why is rose pink used during Advent in the wreath and vestments?

Advent is a time of penance, and so the ordinary liturgical colour for Advent is violet. On the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, we recognize the joyful anticipation of the season that will culminate in the birth of Christ, by changing the liturgical colour to rose. Rose is a “brightening” of the ordinary violet and symbolizes joy.

More information HERE

24 December - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Entrance Antiphon

Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior. (Cf. Is 45: 8)

Readings

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12,14a,16  I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever."

Psalm 89:2-3,4-5,27,29  R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Rom 16:25-27  To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever.

Alleluia, alleluia. Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Alleluia, alleluia.

Lk 1:26-38  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

Image: Angel Gabriel from the Annunciation by Pinturicchio 1501. Public domain

Homily Studio podcast 

During the week leading up to this Sunday, listen to a 30-minute conversation at this Food For Faith link. 

Suggestion for a Prayer of Intercession

For all who are awaiting the birth of a child or who are new parents: that they may recognize God’s presence in their child and nurture the gift of life entrusted to their care.

R. E te Ariki, Whakarongo mai rā kia a mātou.

Hymn Suggestion

O come, O come Emmanuel.

Resources

There are many good websites which provide ideas for your Advent liturgies. Listed here are a few you might like to consider. 

Jane Maisey rsj

https://www.designjane.com/advent

Loyola Press

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/

Ignatian Spirituality

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent/

Catholic culture

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2023-12-03

Liturgies with poems and prayers

https://www.conversations.net.nz/christmas.html

Laudato Si Advent calendar

https://laudatosimovement.org/advent2023/?utm_source=advent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EN

Advent Hymn recommendations

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Creator the Stars of Night
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending
O Come, Divine Messiah
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
On Jordan’s Bank
People, Look East!
Savior of the Nations, Come
The Angel Gabriel 
Wait for the Lord
Wake, Awake For Night is Flying.

"Come Lord Jesus ..."