Getting Ready for Advent & Christmas 2016 Week 5

PUT JESUS FIRST: WEEK FIVE 

It’s the second week of Advent! December 2-9: This past week we’ve been focusing on the theme of HOPE, and this week we move to the second theme: PEACE. 

The coming of Christ is the coming of the Prince of Peace, and while the world around us might not reflect it, we can strive to have peace in our hearts.  

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). 

In a world filled with war and violence, it’s difficult to see how Jesus could be an all-powerful God who acts in human history and be the embodiment of peace. But physical safety and political harmony don’t necessarily reflect the kind of peace that Jesus brings (John 14:27). 

What to do this week: 

 This week is your week to send out those Christmas cards that you bought back in Week Two of this planner. Put on some music, heat up some apple cider, and get your address book out! You’ve already bought your stamps, so put it all together and you’re good to go.  What Advent activity did you choose for your family to do? Revisit it this week.  Make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything at the store, because you want this to be the last time you have to go. Wrapping paper? Tape? Stocking stuffers?   Don’t forget a thank-you gift for all the people who make your life easier: your letter carrier, your trash collector, office support personnel, bank tellers.  If you bake Christmas cookies, now’s the time to plan them out and purchase all the necessary ingredients.  Family activities: o Identify distractions. Don't allow the stress of the Christmas season to distract you from what is really is important. Spend more time 

© 2016 Daughters of St. Paul – Find us online at www.pauline.org 15 

with the family and less time at the mall. Simplify your life. Be still and listen to God's voice.  o Notice God's hand. Reflect on this past year. Perhaps you, like many, have faced financial difficulty. Or maybe you've escaped danger or disease through an unforeseen miracle. Perhaps this year has been a time of suffering or relationship disasters. How has God carried you through all these things?  o Ask God to give you direction. 

Advent Wreath, Week Two of Advent 

Involve your whole family in the prayers and readings of the Advent wreath. Assign different parts to different family members ahead of time. Once the candle has been lit for this second Sunday in Advent, then do this reading together: 

Person A: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,  

Person B: out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. 

Person C: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah 

All: For out of you shall come a Ruler, who will shepherd my people Israel. 

Prayer for the week 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, union. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. 

© 2016 Daughters of St. Paul – Find us online at www.pauline.org 16 

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  (prayer for peace of St. Francis of Assisi) 

Reading for the week For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5)

~the Daughters of St. Paul