Advent and Christmas Season Study Guide

Micah

the prophet that prophesied that the Messiah will be born in “Bethlehem” ( House of Bread)

Isaiah

Isaiah 1 – 39 was probably written around the time of the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722  B.C., Isaiah 40 – 55 was compiled when the Jewish people were struggling through their humiliating exile in Babylon between 585 B.C. and 539 B.C. when having been forcibly removed from their homes, they were forbidden to return, and Isaiah 56 – 66 was probably written shortly after the Jewish people returned from Babylon in 539 B.C. to face the immense task of rebuilding their land, which lay in ruins.

Laetare

latin word for “rejoice”

Gaudete

The Sunday where the pink candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent to remind us to “rejoice” because the Lord is near.

Star

What led the Wise Men to Jesus; meaning “Jesus was born also for the Gentiles” (all humanity).

Christ

Greek for anointed One

Messiah

Hebrew for anointed One

Advent

refers to the Second Coming of Jesus, beginning on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year.

Christmas

the coming of Jesus into our world, beginning on December 25^th

Annunciation

story that tells of how Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus and how she responded in faith

Advent wreath

 Used to decorate the Church during Advent; represents the Coming  of Jesus, our Savior. An advent wreath consists of a circle of Evergreens.  The round shape of the wreath symbolizes that God’s love for us is never ending and that Jesus is the completion of God’s plan for the world. The greenery in the wreath reminds us of the new life that Jesus will bring to us.

Candles

A sign that Jesus casts out darkness and sin by his life and light that represents each of the four Sundays of Advent

Visitation

A special event when Mary traveled to Elizabeth after the visit from the angel

John the Baptist

from the tribe of Levi, who prepared the way of the Lord and baptized Jesus on the Jordan River

Baptism of the Lord

when Christmas ends, with the ________________ of the Lord around the 2^nd week of January

St. Francis of Assisi

He started the tradition of the Nativity Scene or Christmas creche putting together the shepherds and the Wise Men.

Gold

one of the three things Jesus recieved from the Three Wise Men at his birth, means Jesus is King.

House of Bread

another name for Bethlehem

Wise Men

3 Kings who were Gentiles and led by a Star to Jesus; meaning “Jesus was born also for the Gentiles” (all  humanity).

Myrrh

oil for the dead body

God

His appearance to Moses in the burning bush is said to be natures way of a reminder for Christmas

King

representing the Messiah who will save and rescue people

Frankincense

one of the three things Jesus recieved from the Three Wise Men at his birth, means Jesus is God.

Tribe of Judah

Jesus, was a descendant of _____. The tribe of _____ is also known for producing the kings David and Solomon.

Joseph

Father who quickly wrote a Christmas poem and brought it to the parish  organist, who wrote a melody that could be sung by a chorus accompanied only by a guitar

Jordan

The river where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

East

Where the Wise Men were from

Luke

the gospel that talks about the Shepherds and angels

Purple

The three ______ candles remind us that Advent is a season of preparation; Hope, Peace and Love

Original Sin

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception when we remember that Mary was conceived without ___________

Eternal Love

a central theme in Advent and Christmas, and is often expressed through the gift of Jesus Christ

Rose/pink

The ____ or _____ candle represents our hope in the promises God made to us through Jesus. The pink candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent to remind us to “rejoice” (Gaudete Sunday) because the Lord is near; Joy

New life

the greenery in the wreath that reminds us of what Jesus will bring to us.

Penance

One of the three sacraments that is an important way to prepare for the coming of Christ during advent

Tribe of Levi

John the Baptist

Magnificat

a song of praise sung by Mary after the Visitation

Third Sunday

Gaudete Sunday and the third candle on the Advent wreath is the Shepherd's Candle

Death

it is a reminder of mortality and the hope of eternal life

Immaculate Conception

during the advent season when we celebrate the Feast on December 8,  a Holy Day of Obligation; on this day we remember that Mary was conceived without Original Sin

All nations/humanity

The message of Christmas is meant for __________ and is a reminder of God's desire for His salvation to be known among all nations.

Shepherds

Jews in Judea who were the first visitors of the baby Jesus

“Gloria in Excelsis Deo”

Angels song

Alleluia

During Advent Season it is sung, but during Lent, it is not sung of recited.