The word ’Advent’ comes from the Latin ’adventis’ which means coming. It is the time of preparation for Christmas, the feast that celebrates the coming of Jesus. Advent also reminds us that Jesus promised that he would come again at the end of time. The Advent wreath has four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent. Its green branches symbolize the new life we expect. In church the colour that is used during Advent is violet or purple. It’s the colour of penance and sacrifice but also of preparation. Halfway through Advent on Gaudete Sunday the colour is rose to celebrate that the time of waiting is almost over. Christians prepare during Advent by praying, by asking forgiveness and by helping those in need. The star you see behind many windows refers to the star of Bethlehem that pointed the wise men from the East to the child Jesus. With an advent calendar kids can count down to Christmas Eve which marks the end of advent and the beginning of Christmas.
Can you find the synonyms to some of the words?
| 1. preparation | a. bough |
| 2. feast | b. to end |
| 3. to remind | c. the Magi |
| 4. branch | d. to look forward to |
| 5. to expect | e. getting ready |
| 6. church | f. to apologise |
| 7. to be over | g. repentance |
| 8. to ask forgiveness | h. to make somebody remember |
| 9. penance | i. house of God |
| 10. the wise men | j. celebration |
Key:
- e.
- j.
- h.
- a.
- d.
- i.
- a.
- f.
- g.
- c.
