November 27
First Sunday of Advent
- Blessyour Advent
wreath. Light one of the violet candles
marking the season’s first week as you sing a verse of “O Come, O Come,
Emmanuel.”
- Meditate on scripture with a Lectio Divina for today's readings. en Español
Make or purchase an Advent calendar and open the window for the first day of the season or download our Family Advent Calendar and post it in your home as a reminder to take time for prayer and family every day during this holy season.
- A "Jesse Tree" is another tradition your family can include in your Advent observance, especially if you have young children. A
Jesse Tree depicts the relationship of Jesus with
Jesse and other biblical figures who were the ancestors of Jesus. Jesse
was the
father of King David and is often looked upon as the first person in the
genealogy of Jesus. For your own Jesse Tree, a branch can be placed into
a pot
or a large vase at the beginning of Advent and every day a new ornament
can be added to it. These ornaments represent individual figures or
stories from the Old and New
Testaments. As the children place the ornaments onto the branch, a
parent can read an appropriate Scripture passage that talks about the
given
ancestor of Jesus. The Diocese of Erie's Faith magazine has a wonderful Jesse Tree site with free ornament designs, suggested scripture readings and reflections. We will share their descriptions of the Jesse Tree ornaments and stories on this interactive calendar.
