Awaiting Jesus with joyful, open hearts DAILY
Magnificat Under the direction of Romain Lizé, Associate Publisher David Gabillet, Editorial Director Isabelle Galmiche, Editor Élisabeth Hebert, Creative Designer Patrick Leleux PAO, Graphic Designer Janet Chevrier, Proofreader Marie Guibert, Production
Written by Kathleen Hollenbeck Illustrated by Éric Puybaret DAILY ADVENT ® Prayers Awaiting Jesus with joyful, open hearts
4 Contents Introduction: Christmas Is Coming! 6 The Keys to my Advent Journey 8 Our Father and Hail Mary prayers 10 The First Week of Advent Sunday—Year A 14 Sunday—Year B 16 Sunday—Year C 18 Monday 20 Tuesday 22 Wednesday 24 Thursday 26 Friday 28 Saturday 30 The Second Week of Advent Sunday—Year A 34 Sunday—Year B 36 Sunday—Year C 38 Monday 40 Tuesday 42 Wednesday 44 Thursday 46 Friday 48 Saturday 50
5 The Third Week of Advent Sunday—Year A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Sunday—Year B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Sunday—Year C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Monday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Tuesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Friday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 The Last Days of Advent Sunday—Year A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Sunday—Year B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Sunday—Year C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 December 17.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 December 18.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 December 19.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 December 20.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 December 21.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 December 22.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 December 23.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 December 24.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Feasts and Solemnities November 30: Saint Andrew (Feast). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 The Nativity of the Lord December 24—Christmas Eve (Solemnity). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 December 25—Christmas Day (Solemnity). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Advent Calendars.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
6 The book you now hold is a companion for your journey to Christmas. Filled with prayers, Scripture readings, and easy-to-understand explanations and inspiration, MagnifiKid! Daily Advent Prayers will accompany you every day throughout the season of Advent. As you know, Advent is the period before Christmas, a time of expectation and joy shared each year by Christians the world over. On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We recall that he is the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, come into the world to save us by offering us God’s love. But in order for each of us to receive that love, Jesus needs us to make room for him deep within ourselves, to prepare ourselves to welcome him into our hearts. How? By faithfully responding to the Lord’s daily invitation to meet him—an invitation to prayer. Prayer is how your soul breathes and gets its nourishment. You use your body for sports and your brain to learn, but God tells you that you are more than just body and brain: you can love, you have a soul. Taking the time for prayer is making sure that you help your soul and the love in your heart to grow stronger. It helps you receive Jesus and to love the people he puts on your path. How will this prayer book help me? Over roughly four weeks, this Advent companion will help you respond to Jesus’ invitation to prayer. You can do it in the quiet of your room but also with those around you: your parents, your brothers and sisters, your grandparents… or perhaps your friends from school or catechism class. MagnifiKid! Daily Advent Prayers can be your prayer companion for many years. You can pray with it not only this year, but next year, too, and the year after that… The instructions on pages 8 and 9 will show you how. Christmas is coming!
How will I pray? Perhaps you think you don’t know how to pray well? Not to worry: you’re not the first to feel like that! Even Jesus’ disciples felt they needed help, which is why they asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray!” (Luke 11:1). And Jesus gave them the Our Father. It is the greatest of Christian prayers because it was received directly fromChrist and it helps us pray to God our Father in the same way that Jesus did. Later, after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, who inspired themwith many ways to pray to God. There is no one right way to pray. What’s most important is to realize that our prayer is always a conversation with God, who loved us first. Are there steps of prayer? MagnifiKid! Daily Advent Prayers suggests that you pray each day in four steps to remind you that God loved us first: 1. God is always there first, close to all of us who pray to him. That is why we begin with the Sign of the Cross, placing ourselves in the presence of God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: In the name of the Father… 2. G od spoke to man first. We next listen to his Word, which is read each day in the Church worldwide. Then we read a short commentary to help us understand it better. 3. G od welcomes all prayers before we even speak them. We continue by offering the Lord all our prayers, for ourselves and for others. 4. G od gave us the words of prayer through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is why the Our Father is part of the prayer of all Christians. We pray it each day. To conclude our time of prayer, we will also pray the Hail Mary, to honor our Blessed Mother and entrust to her our prayers. May God richly bless you and those you love during this holy season of Advent. Enjoy a beautiful and prayerful journey to Christmas with your MagnifiKid! Daily Advent Prayers! David Gabillet
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.
Where do i start? The First Day of Advent is a Sunday. This First Sunday of Advent is located on: •Page 14 in years: 2020, 2023, 2026, 2029. •Page 16 in years: 2021, 2024, 2027, 2030. •Page 18 in years: 2019, 2022, 2025, 2028. How do I knowwhere to go the next day? Page 46. Page 100 in 2019 & 2024. Page 98 in 2022. Go on page 46 unless you are on one of the years mentioned below. In 2019 and in 2024, go to page 100. In 2022, go to page 98. My Advent journey will be easy if I carefully check what page to go to next and put my ribbon there. What if I miss a day? On pages 109-111, I’ll find yearly Advent calendars that show me where to go for every day of Advent. Now, put your ribbon in place to the Sunday indicated above. You are ready for your Advent journey! Follow the Magi! After the closing Sign of the Cross, find the Magi in the bottom right corner. Follow them to the page indicated. If the year we are in is specifically mentioned, go to the page indicated for that year. See pages 108-111 to learn why you have to go to different pages depending on the year—and to find yearly calendars that give you a full list of the pages for every day of Advent.
10 Our Father Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
12
13 The First Week of Advent
14 The First Week of Advent 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 1st Sunday 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.
16 1st 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. 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 find 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
Page 20. Page 96 in 2020 & 2026. 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.
18 1st 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 fulfill 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
Page 20. 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 those 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.
20 The First Week of Advent Monday 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. In today’s Gospel reading, we will hear words almost identical to those we say at Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Like the centurion in the Gospel, we, too, ask Jesus for healing every time we go to Mass. But unlike the centurion, we aren’t asking our Lord to heal someone else. We are asking him to heal our very souls, to make us holy so that we may welcome him into our bodies in Holy Communion. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:5 -8) The centurion had great faith that Jesus could heal his servant. Not only that: he knew that Jesus did not have to physically travel to see the sick man. No, Jesus’ word alone would be enough to heal him! Jesus was amazed by the faith of this officer. What a great model of faith for us to follow!
Page 22. Page 96 in 2021 & 2027. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that we may look out for the needs of others, as the centurion did for his servant. R/ For those suffering from illness, that they will find courage, strength, and healing through faith. R/ For the leaders of the Church, that they will lead with humility and obedience to God. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Father, Jesus saw and rewarded the faith of the centurion. Help us, too, to believe that all things are possible with God! Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
22 The First Week of Advent Tuesday 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. God is our loving Father, and he wants us to get to know him better. The more we seek to know God, the more he will reveal himself to us. The greatest way God has shown himself to us is through his Son, Jesus. In the Gospels, Jesus teaches us that as we get to know him, we are getting to know God, too. Jesus is happy when we draw close to him and the Father. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke: J esus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (Luke 10:21 -22) In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Jesus say beautiful words of praise and love to the Father. Jesus is filled with gratitude and love for God, and he doesn’t hold back his feelings. Like Jesus, we can speak to God in this way, too, sharing our thanks and our praise for his goodness! In fact, we can share anything at all: our dreams, our sadness, our hopes… God wants us to bring it all to him, just like Jesus.
Page 24. Page 96 in 2022. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we may learn to praise God in all things. R/ For our family as we enter this season of Advent, that we may follow Jesus’ example and spend time with God. R/ For those who do not pray, that they may hear and respond to God’s voice. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Father, help us to come to you not only in times of need, but also to love and praise you, as Jesus did. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
24 The First Week of Advent 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. On Christmas Day, it is exciting to give and receive presents. Brightly wrapped and filled with surprises, these presents can cause happy smiles. Now think of the Baby Jesus. Mary wrapped God’s wondrous gift—not in bright paper but in plain, simple cloth! Yet Jesus is the greatest gift of all! How blessed we are to receive him! A reading from the Prophet Isaiah: On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” (Isaiah 25:9) Long before the first Christmas, the Prophet Isaiah told the Israelites that one day they would thank God for saving them from sin and death. Many years later, their salvation and ours came in a tiny bundle born in a stable: the Baby Jesus, who grew up to save us by his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Advent is a time to say, “Come, Lord Jesus, come! We await you with joy!”
Page 26. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, and all who wait for Jesus with excitement, that our enthusiasm and faith will draw others to him. R/ For those who feel sad, that they may place their hope in Jesus. R/ For the poor and homeless, that, through the prayers and kindness of many, they may have food, warmth, and shelter as winter approaches. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ God, you have given all people a Savior. Help us remember to thank you for your gift every day. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
26 The First Week of Advent Thursday 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. Friends grow closer by spending time getting to know one another. They talk often and listen carefully. They share what’s important and feel happy being together. This Advent, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to increase our desire for friendship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit can lead us to know Jesus better and better. Then when Jesus comes, he will find us his faithful friends, waiting for him with love! A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: J esus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Jesus made it very clear that only those who do the will of God will enter heaven. This does not mean we cannot make mistakes! We do the will of God when we try our best to live as God wants. God asks us to love, to be kind, and to spend time with him. The more we do, the more we will be like him. And that, above all, is what God wants!
Page 28. Page 98 in 2023 & 2028. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For eachone of us, that we will seek to know and to followGod’s will for our lives. R/ For those who are not yet baptized, that they will open their hearts and minds to the love of Christ and choose to do God’s will. R/ For the pope and all bishops, that they may guide the Church in holiness. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Heavenly Father, help us to listen carefully to you and to make our decisions according to your will. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
28 The First Week of Advent Friday 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. In today’s Gospel reading, we see Jesus answering the request of two men in need of healing. The men follow Jesus, and they ask him to have mercy on them and heal them. They know there is nothing that Jesus cannot do. The same is true for us today. We have only to follow Jesus and believe in him. With great faith, we can bring Jesus our needs and trust that he can and will meet every one. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:27 -30a) Faith is essential to living holy lives. By faith, we trust that God can and will heal our wounds and meet all our needs. We must choose to apply faith over fear, faith over worry, and faith over unbelief. Yet faith is not something we generate on our own—faith is a gift from God. Ask God today: Father, increase my faith!
Page 30. Page 98 in 2029. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the needs of those around us. R/ For our family, that we may take time to appreciate the beauty around us and the gift of sight. R/ For thosewho are suffering, that through their prayers and ours, they will receive strength and healing. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Father, Jesus saw and rewarded the faith of the blind men. Please increase our faith, that we may always say with joy, “Yes, Lord. We believe!” Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
30 The First Week of Advent Saturday 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. In today’s reading, we see Jesus caring about others. Although he was busy, he took time to notice their needs and respond. Sometimes we can get busy and not notice when other people are hurting or in need. Advent is a great time to train ourselves to be like Jesus. We can stop what we’re doing and look around. Like Jesus, we can reach out to others right in the midst of our days! A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: J esus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35 -38) Jesus loved his followers so much that he wanted the absolute best for them. He didn’t want them to wander without guidance; no! He wanted to teach them, to heal them, and to lead them to God the Father. We, too, are Jesus’ followers! Jesus wants to teach us, to heal us, and to help us grow in faith. Jesus asks us to join in praying that God will send out more laborers, more people filled with compassion for others and dedicated to helping others to grow in faith.
Page 34 in 2019, 2022, 2025, 2028. Page 36 in 2020, 2023, 2026. Page 38 in 2021, 2024 & 2027. INTERCESSIONS R/ “Lord, hear our prayer.” For each one of us, that, like Jesus, we will be aware of others in need and act with compassion. R/ For our family, that we will grow closer to God during this Advent season. R/ For an increase in holy vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and consecrated life. R/ My own personal intentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R/ Father, thank you for the gift of faith. Please awaken many more hearts to love you and to work for the good of your Kingdom. Let Us Pray: “Our Father...” “Hail Mary...” In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. © 2019 by Magnificat, New York All rights reserved. ISBN Magnificat 978-1-949239-11-9 The trademark Magnificat depicted in this publication is used under license from and is the exclusive property of Magnificat Central Service Team, Inc., A Ministry to Catholic Women, and may not be used without its written consent. Printed in Korea in July 2019 by Tien Wah Press. Job number: MGN 19026 Printed in compliance with the Consumer Protection Safety Act, 2008
Embark on a prayerful journey for this Advent and many Advents to come! In homes across the world during Advent, children help their families prepare for Christmas. Nativity scenes, bright candles in the windows, evergreen trees encircled with twinkling lights, and colorfully wrapped gifts speak of fervent expectation. Now, with MagnifiKid! Daily Advent Prayers , each child can prepare the most important present of all, a prayerful heart ready to welcome our Lord Jesus Christ! Designed to be used individually, or as a support for family and community prayer, each day features an opening reflection, a Scripture reading from daily Mass, intercessions, prayers, and inspiring illustrations by award-winning illustrator Éric Puybaret. This precious resource will be treasured year after year because it includes all the days of Advent, adapted for the three-year liturgical cycle, and calendars to guide its use through the year 2030. Ages 7 and up ISBN: 978-1-949239-11-9
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzMzNzY=