8 44 The Second Week of Advent Page 46. Page 100 in 2019 & 2024. Page 98 in 2022. Wednesday Remember that you are in the presence of the Lord. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A yoke is a bar placed across the necks of two oxen. The yoke keeps the animals attached so that they work together to pull a plow for farming. In this way, the hard work is handled by two and not one; it is much easier. This is what Jesus invites us to do: to walk with him instead of struggling alone under our troubles and cares. Jesus will take our problems and make them his own. Then he will walk beside us and help us to carry them. With Jesus’ help, our labor and burdens will be much lighter and easier to carry! A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will ind rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus does not promise that we will not face struggles in life. But he does promise that when we trust in him, he will provide all the energy, strength, and help we need to get through our difficulties. Our life’s journey will be easier if we trust in Jesus. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that we may share all our cares with Jesus, knowing he is with us at all times. R/ For thosewho feel discouraged or hopeless, that they may turn to Jesus and find all the strength and support that they need. R/ For Christians throughout theworldwho are persecuted for their faith, that God will grant them great courage and increased devotion to him. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Father, help us to remember that we are never alone, for you are always with us. Thank you for your loving care. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Mep-DailyAdventPrayers_001-112.indd 44-45 04/06/2019 16:32 A Unique Advent Journey 14 The First Week of Advent Page 20. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that we will take time each day to prepare our hearts for Jesus. R/ For those who live in anger or unforgiveness, that God will open their hearts to his love. R/ For the members of the Church on earth, that we may be filled with the joy and hope of this Advent season. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Heavenly Father, help us to walk a holy path this Advent, choosing to be kind and to act with love. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A reading from the Prophet Isaiah: I n days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:2 -3a) The Prophet Isaiah joyfully announces the coming of a Savior, who will lead all people to God and bring peace to all nations. Isaiah urges us to look with joyful expectation toward the Savior’s birth. He wants us to choose to act with love instead of anger or unforgiveness. Jesus is coming! Let us fill our hearts with goodness so we are ready to welcome him! Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of joy and preparation as we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby, but his plans for us were very big. Jesus came to save us all from sin so that we can live in heaven with him forever! As we get ready for Jesus, we will prepare our homes with bright lights and pretty decorations, but the best preparations will be in our hearts. Let’s fill our hearts with love to welcome the King of all kings: Jesus, our Savior! Remember that you are in the presence of the Lord. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Year A st Sunday of Advent Mep-DailyAdventPrayers_001-112.indd 14-15 04/06/2019 16:32 16 Page 20. Page 96 in 2020 & 2026. st Sunday f Advent Remember that you are in the pres nce of the Lord. In the n me f the Father, and of the Son, nd of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means arrival or coming. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus, born on Christmas Day! Getting ready for Jesus isn’t something we do at the last minute. Instead, we prepare day by day. We read the Bible, pray, and go out of our way to be kind to others. The more good we do, the more our hearts will fill with love. Jesus wants to live in our hearts! Will our hearts be ready to welcome him? Year B A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark: J esus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and ind you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:33 -37) Advent is exciting. It is also a challenge. We are called to stay alert and prepare our hearts for Jesus to come. God does not leave us to do this alone. He speaks to us when we pray and when we read the Bible. When we spend time with God, he helps us to want to do kind and thoughtful acts—and he makes it feel easier along the way! With each loving thought, word, and action, our hearts become more and more ready for Jesus! The First Week of Advent INTERCESSIONS: R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that we may make room in our hearts for Jesus. R/ For those who do not know the true meaning of Christmas, that they will come to know and love Jesus. R/ For those who are not allowed to practice their Christian faith openly, that their faith may only grow stronger during this season of Advent. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Loving Father, open our eyes and our hearts today. Help us to treat others with kindness and compassion. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Mep-DailyAdventPrayers_001-112.indd 16-17 04/06/2019 16:32 18 Page 20. st Sunday of Advent Remember that you are in the presence of the Lord. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today is the first Sunday of Advent. During Advent, we get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. At home, we will place candles in the windows and wrap lights around the tree. We will put out a Nativity, with Mary and Joseph inside. There will be room in the stable for Jesus to join them on Christmas Day. Will there be room in our hearts for Jesus? Advent is a time to make sure of that! Let’s fill our hearts with love to welcome the King of all kings: Jesus, our Savior! Year C A reading from the Prophet Jeremiah: T he days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. (Jeremiah 33:14 -15) God our Father is faithful and merciful. Long ago, God promised to send a Savior to free all people from sin. God kept his promise when he sent his only Son to live on the earth. Jesus is the Savior! Because of Jesus, we can feel great hope and joy. Jesus brings peace, forgiveness from sin, and the promise of heaven. Let us fill our hearts with love so we are ready to welcome him! The First Week of Advent INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that our joy will grow as we prepare our hearts for Jesus. R/ For thos who do not yet know Jesus, that they will see him in the kindness of others this Advent season. R/ For the Church worldwide, that she may boldly proclaim faith in the Son of God. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Loving God, thank you for keeping your promise to save all people from sin. Help us to cherish the gift of faith and to joyfully prepare for the birth of our Savior! Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Mep-DailyAdventPrayers_001-112.indd 18-19 04/06/2019 16:32 This book will take you on a journey through Advent, one you can take year after year! It includes readings for liturgical years A, B, and C, to always be in step with the Church. Each week, we will use only one of the three Sunday readings: the one marked year A, year B, or year C. The Scripture quote comes from the Mass readings of the day. Each day begins with an introduction and an illustration to go with the reading of the day. A commentary help us understand the Scripture quote. In four intercessions, we will pray for others and ourselves. (The fourth one will be a personal intention that’s close to our hearts.) We will say a different prayer each day. Day after day, the Magi will help us navigate through our Advent journey, and tell us the page to go to next. The words of the Our Father and Hail Mary are on pages 10 and 11. THE KEYS TO my ADVENT JOURNEY Why are there years A, B, and C? To help Catholics get to know more of the Gospels, the Church has arranged three sets of readings for Sunday Mass. In year A, most of the readings come from Matthew’s Gospel. In year B, they are mostly from the Gospel of Mark. And in year C, we read a lot from the Gospel of Luke. All three years, we read parts of the Gospel of John.
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