Children's Address to explain the Advent Ring Ceremony

Can anyone tell me what special day it is today? The first Sunday in Advent.

Did anyone do something different this morning? Open their advent calendar.

I was told by Sandy that 'He got a Snow Person' as he had to be politically correct now.

So we call this time of year. Advent!

Well now boys and girls, who remembers what Advent means? Advent just means a coming!

Or counting down to Christmas.

The church is counting down to Christmas and we call the 4 weeks before Christmas, Advent.

But what are we getting ready for?

We are getting ready to welcome the birthday of the most important guest or baby of all time, Jesus!

The first candle we lit this morning reminds us of the Advent Hope, of the coming child Jesus. And then next Sunday we have the light of the second candle to remember the prophets:

That just means the people who wrote the Old Testament and spoke to the people about the coming child, the child who would grow up and bring freedom and forgiveness to all who believe in him.

On the third Sunday the third candle reminds us of some one who was close to Jesus, his cousin, John the Baptist. John was born just before Jesus and John was a great preacher and teacher just like Jesus, but when he met Jesus he knew right away that Jesus was the most important person ever.

Our fourth candle is lit to remind us of Jesus' mother. What was her name? Mary!

Mary was a good woman and God saw that she was good and he choose her to be mother to the baby Jesus. And she agreed and did all she was asked to do.

And then on Christmas day, we light the fifth and last candle. The white candle to remind us of the birth of Jesus and to give thanks to God for giving us his most precious gift ever.

We light the white candle as the Bells ring out to show that Christmas day is here. And so on Christmas day we light the 5th candle to show that Jesus birthday has come round again.

Let us pray:

Loving father we thank you that there are so many things that remind us of your son Jesus at this time of year. Christmas cards we send with our love to others. Christmas trees with a star on it, Christmas lights and decorations, presents, we give and get. We want to thank you for all of these things, but most of all for Jesus who was the best present ever. Help us all to understand how much you love every one of us, from the tiny baby to the oldest person in the world. We thank you father. Amen.