With the New Church Year begins a new cycle of readings in the lectionary.

The Lectionary is the book that contains the readings that are proclaimed at Mass. It is structured in a way that helps us to explore the divine mysteries of our faith in the context of the seasons that our liturgical year celebrates. Although we celebrate these same mysteries every year we do not read the same readings. The Sunday Lectionary is based on 3 cycles. During cycle A we hear the gospel of Mathew, cycle B we hear from Mark and cycle C, Luke. John's gospel is read during Lent and Easter (and five Sundays during cycle B because Mark's gospel is short). Each gospel offers insight into the life and ministry of Jesus and provides implications for how we live our lives as Christian Catholics today.The Gospel is the primary reading because it is based upon the life of Jesus Christ, the focus of the whole liturgy.

With the beginning of Advent on November 30th we begin Cycle B, which gives particular attention to the Gospel of Mark. This gospel is the earliest gospel of the four, written about 65 AD. There are many opportunities to learn more about each of the gospels. The United States Bishops' website provides one such opportunity.

In our North American culture we tend to skip advent and focus on Christmas - the big day of presents, food and family. We forget about the preparation time. The word advent comes from the Latin word meaning "arrival." It is quite literally a time of preparing our hearts to receive Jesus at Christmas, and every day of our lives. 
 

Avoid getting caught up in the chaotic rush of the season by intentionally preparing for this sacred season. There is one week left until the new year - encourage students to plan now so they do not miss advent. Make an advent wreath in the classroom or at home, create an advent calendar to count down the days (and remember advent starts on the first Sunday of advent; this year that is November 30th, 2014, not December 1st). 

Thanks to a brilliant faith-filled kindergarten teacher, our family prepares for Jesus with a small manger my daughter made in class many years ago. On the first day of advent the empty manger comes out of a box, along with the advent calendar. Every evening my children add a piece of straw to the manger for every good deed or kind act they have done during the day. As we approach Christmas, Jesus' bed, and our hearts, become softened to receive the Lord. Then, Christmas Eve, Jesus arrives in the manger. Years later my teenagers still check to see Jesus in the manger before they check their stockings by the fireplace.

In order to maintain a state of peace in our hearts it is okay to give thought to the Christmas gifts we wish to share with others. Planning ahead can alleviate last minute stress. Encourage students to give gifts from the heart. Homemade gifts hold a special place in people's hearts. To spark imaginations you may wish to check out the internet. Two of my favourite sites are Netmums and The 36th Avenue.

If only purchased gifts will do, make your gifts count. Seek out fair trade items that will make a difference in the lives of the people who made them as well as bring a smile to the faces of your families and friends. 

To learn more about Fair Trade products check out the Canadian Fair Trade website. This website also tells you some of the fair trade products available in Canada. Ten Thousand Villages has an international reputation that supports many organizations in developing countries. Little by Little is an organization that supports women in the global south, primarily in Haiti and Nepal. If you are looking to purchase a calendar for the New Year beginning January 1, 2015, Development and Peace has one that can be purchased for $15 which supports people in developing countries.  

Enjoy a wonderful prayerful Advent Season and remember...
 

Peace, 

Annette Donovan Panchaud