Absolutely Advent! Sample pages you ll find in this Product Preview: PUBLISHING GROUP: PRODUCT PREVIEW. A Teen s Journal for Christmas 2014

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1 PUBLISHING GROUP: PRODUCT PREVIEW Absolutely Advent! A Teen s Journal for Christmas 2014 Christmas is a time to celebrate! Absolutely Advent! helps teens sometimes distracted by parties, gifts, and TV specials develop a deeper understanding of the real reason for celebrating this special season: the birth of God incarnate into a human family, and the beginning of Jesus life on Earth. A Teen s Journal for Christmas 2014 A page a day, November 30 through December 24, includes a passage from the day s Scripture, journal questions that incorporate the experiences of teens, and activities that help the Scriptures come alive in an involving way. Special features include Green Christmas Activities teens and their families can do together, and weekly prayers based on the psalms for the Advent season. Teen Edition: 36 pages, 6 x 9 #H3148 Sample pages you ll find in this Product Preview: The Advent Wreath (page 3) First Monday of Advent (page 5) First Thursday of Advent (page 8) Scroll down to view the pages Second Monday of Advent (page 13) Second Friday of Advent (page 17)

2 The First Week of Advent The Advent Wreath Let s face it the days are very dark in November and December. In fact, until December 21, the world moves through the darkest days of the year. It is no coincidence that during these days, the Church celebrates the coming birth of Jesus, the Light of the World, with the light from the candles of the Advent wreath. The Advent wreath actually has its roots outside of Christianity. Both Germanic and Scandinavian peoples would take branches from evergreen trees and decorate them with candles, providing light in the darkness. By the year 1600, Christians brought this ritual into religious practice. So what do the candles and greens mean? Evergreens = Life. The greens can signify different aspects of life; for example, pine has symbolized immortality, whereas cedar represents strength. Circle = Everlasting life. The circle has no beginning and no end. God has no beginning and no end. Eternal life has no beginning and no end. Life goes on, no matter what! Candles = Light. There are four candles on an Advent wreath three violet and one pink or rose colored. The three violet candles symbolize prayer and penance, which prepare us to celebrate the birth of Christ. The pink candle, lit on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, represents a turning point. We have reached the halfway point of Advent when this candle is lit. And, of course, all light reminds us of the light of Christ! A Green Christmas Activity: If your family has a tradition of mailing Christmas cards to family and friends, send a green Christmas card this year. With your family, design an electronic Christmas card. Be creative! Use family photos and clip art. Gather addresses of family and friends. Then, with a click, you can your card to all of the people who are important in your life. You can also post your family s card on Facebook. Think of all the trees you can save if you and your family take this one small step! 3

3 First Monday of Advent December 1 Today s Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:5-8 a centurion came to [Jesus], appealing to him and saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress. And he said to him, I will come and cure him. The centurion answered, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. The centurion, an army officer, believed that Jesus could heal his servant simply by saying that it would happen. Jesus was amazed by the centurion s faith. Warm-up: What cured the servant? Answer this question by using the letters on the capsules to fill in the blanks. Reflection: Who believes in you? How does that person express or show that belief? How does that affect your actions? 5

4 First Thursday of Advent December 4 Today s Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:24-27 [Jesus said,] Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell and great was its fall! Warm-up: While on earth, by word and example Jesus taught his followers the requirements of a Christian life. List in the building blocks below those characteristics a rock solid Christian will possess. An example is given. Reflection: Which one of these characteristics building blocks are you most proud to possess? How would others recognize this characteristic in you? 8

5 Second Monday of Advent December 8 Today s Scripture Reading: Luke 1:37-38 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Angels come in many different forms and they usually carry a special message. Some angels appear as friends, some as strangers, some as a quiet voice deep inside of you. Pay attention and act accordingly. Oh, don t worry! You will KNOW when a message is from God. The angel Gabriel is having a conversation with Mary about God s desire that she become the mother of Jesus. Let s tune in. [Gabriel says,] For nothing will be impossible with God. Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. Warm-up: Advent calls us to look inside ourselves, to be reflective. Who and what has carried the message of God to you over this past year? Name those angels. Reflection: Briefly tell about a time when you responded to what you KNEW was God s desire for you to be or to do. 13

6 Second Friday of Advent December 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Today s Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-42 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. This passage tells the story of two very happy women. Because of the angel s communications, they anticipated each other s good news and were spending time together. Warm-up: It s good manners to let a person know when you re coming for a visit. Write the text message that Mary might have sent when she set out from Nazareth on her way to visit Elizabeth. Reflection: Recall a recent visit of a guest to your home. Write about this visit. How did you and your guest greet one another? What did you talk about? 17 Preview Another Edition Go to Online Catalog Go to Pflaum Home