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Journey through Advent to the Birth & Flight to Egypt
Through Prayer, Reflection , Action & Slides
Journey through Advent to the Birth & Flight to Egypt
Through Prayer, Reflection , Action & Slides
Service 1
Service 1
Service 2
Service 2
You are invited to use this Advent Calendar to help you on a very special journey to the birth of Jesus and beyond.
Each day consists of a short reflection which can be used for prayer and on some days you may be invited to take part in a little simple task.
The calendar continues for a few days after Christmas day.
Please feel free to use the calendar as personally suits you.
If you would like to send a comment about the calendar please use the 'Contact' page
Advent Calendar
2018
Week One
Advent Calendar
2018
Week One
Dedicated to the English/ Irish Infant Jesus Sisters
Dedicated to the English/ Irish Infant Jesus Sisters
Dec
02
Dec
02
2018
Let us pray that this advent will be a time of true spiritual awakening and renewal for us all as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Infant Jesus.
Let us pray that this advent will be a time of true spiritual awakening and renewal for us all as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Infant Jesus.
Dedicated to
Sister Pat &
Sister Catherine O'
Per Ticket
Dec
05
Dec
05
2018
'No feather borne on the wind moves with such grace and freedom as do they who allow themselves to be carried by God' Nicolas Barré
'No feather borne on the wind moves with such grace and freedom as do they who allow themselves to be carried by God' Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Martha
& Sister Clare
Dec
06
Dec
06
2018
The importance of the Advent Wreath
To help us focus on the coming of Christ
The importance of the Advent Wreath
To help us focus on the coming of Christ
Dedicated to Sister Mary M
& Sister Eileen
Dec
07
Dec
07
2018
Alive to the thrill
Of the wild
Meet the dawn
On a mountain
Wash your face
In the morning dew
Feel the favour of the earth
John o'Donoghue
Alive to the thrill
Of the wild
Meet the dawn
On a mountain
Wash your face
In the morning dew
Feel the favour of the earth
John o'Donoghue
Dedicated to Sister Margaret
& Sister Frances D
Dec
08
Dec
08
2018
'May Jesus come to us,
May He find His delight in us.
And so there will be nothing left for us to desire.'
Nicolas Barré
'May Jesus come to us,
May He find His delight in us.
And so there will be nothing left for us to desire.'
Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Alice
& Sister Georgina
Dec
09
Dec
09
2018
" God is beauty and is reflected in the beauty of creation - especially in Mary, Queen of beauty"
Blessed James Albrione
" God is beauty and is reflected in the beauty of creation - especially in Mary, Queen of beauty"
Blessed James Albrione
Dedicated to Sister Mary O'
& Sister Gertie
Dec
10
Dec
10
2018
'And you shall be like a tree planted by the river of water, That brings forth fruit in due season' Psalm 1:3
Plant an Amaryllis bulb, gently water each week & reflect on the gift of water and the gift of life. Your bulb should bloom during the 12 days of Christmas
'And you shall be like a tree planted by the river of water, That brings forth fruit in due season' Psalm 1:3
Plant an Amaryllis bulb, gently water each week & reflect on the gift of water and the gift of life. Your bulb should bloom during the 12 days of Christmas
Dedicated to Sister Hannah &
Sister Mary Ca
Advent Calendar
Week Two
Advent Calendar
Week Two
Dec
11
Dec
11
2018
Light 2 candles for yourself
Love and Hope
Lord, you hold me in your presence, you watch over everything, all my concerns, all that happens to me. Nothing escapes your adorable guidance of my life- this is enough for me. Nicolas Barré
Light 2 candles for yourself
Love and Hope
Lord, you hold me in your presence, you watch over everything, all my concerns, all that happens to me. Nothing escapes your adorable guidance of my life- this is enough for me. Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Jo
& Sister Kathleen
Per Ticket
Dec
13
Dec
13
2018
Hope is like a river flowing
out of you and me
Hope is like a river flowing
out of you and me
Dedicated to Sister Eilish,
& Sister Aidan
Dec
14
Dec
14
2018
'The season of Advent... restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God's Word'
Pope Francis
'The season of Advent... restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God's Word'
Pope Francis
Dedicated to Sister Catherine G
& Sister Mary de C
Dec
15
Dec
15
2018
"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you"
Psalm 39:7
"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you"
Psalm 39:7
Dedicated to Sister Noreen V
& Sister Peter
Advent Calendar
Week Three
Advent Calendar
Week Three
Joy
Joy
Dec
19
Dec
19
2018
Light 3 candles and be filled with joy.
“May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart." Philippians 4:4-7
Light 3 candles and be filled with joy.
“May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart." Philippians 4:4-7
Dedicated to Sister Elizabeth
& Sister Antoinette
Dec
20
Dec
20
2018
Light your candles & reflect on the gifts that you can give to others.
'Your purpose must be to try to form copies of Jesus Christ and strive to make them so like the original as to reproduce perfect images of God'
Nicolas Barré
Light your candles & reflect on the gifts that you can give to others.
'Your purpose must be to try to form copies of Jesus Christ and strive to make them so like the original as to reproduce perfect images of God'
Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Angela
& Sister Ann C
Dec
21
Dec
21
2018
Light your candles and listen.
'Listen to what Jesus Christ said about Himself. He is your model' Nicolas Barré
Light your candles and listen.
'Listen to what Jesus Christ said about Himself. He is your model' Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Agnes
& Sister Ann B
Dec
22
Dec
22
2018
Light your candles and see the face of Christ.
'Having reached out to others with gentleness and humility, you must follow this through with a warmth and enthusiasm inspired by love' Nicolas Barré
Light your candles and see the face of Christ.
'Having reached out to others with gentleness and humility, you must follow this through with a warmth and enthusiasm inspired by love' Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Ann Marie
Dec
23
Dec
23
2018
Light your candles and listen to the beating of your heart.
'Let your hearts be opened with a holy joy as you contemplate your happiness and the excellence of your vocation' Nicolas Barré
Light your candles and listen to the beating of your heart.
'Let your hearts be opened with a holy joy as you contemplate your happiness and the excellence of your vocation' Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Frances Dw
& Sister Anne O'
Advent flows into Christmas
Week Four
Advent flows into Christmas
Week Four
"Be sure not to wander far from the crib of Jesus, so, a great simplicity in everything"
Fr. Nicolas Barré
Week Four
Peace
"Be sure not to wander far from the crib of Jesus, so, a great simplicity in everything"
Fr. Nicolas Barré
Week Four
Peace
Dec
25
Dec
25
2018
Light 4 candles and feel the warmth of the surrounding love.
'The most
precious
gift you
can give
someone is
the gift
of your time and
attention'
Light 4 candles and feel the warmth of the surrounding love.
'The most
precious
gift you
can give
someone is
the gift
of your time and
attention'
Dedicated to
Sister Rosemary
& Sister Fidelma
Dec
26
Dec
26
2018
Light 4 candles and rejoice at being at the crib of Jesus
'Be sure not
to wander far
from the crib
of Jesus, so, a great
simplicity in
everything'
Nicolas Barré
Light 4 candles and rejoice at being at the crib of Jesus
'Be sure not
to wander far
from the crib
of Jesus, so, a great
simplicity in
everything'
Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to
Sister Bernadette
& Sister Ita H
Dec
27
Dec
27
2018
Light 4 candles and give thanks.
'Praise, Adore, Love'
Nicolas Barré
Light 4 candles and give thanks.
'Praise, Adore, Love'
Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Betty
& Sister David
Dec
28
Dec
28
2018
Light 4 candles and remember that Christmas is like a circle which has no end.
'Do not look for cherries on a plum tree. It is the same with people. Each one has to bear fruit according to one's nature.
Nicolas Barré
Light 4 candles and remember that Christmas is like a circle which has no end.
'Do not look for cherries on a plum tree. It is the same with people. Each one has to bear fruit according to one's nature.
Nicolas Barré
Dedicated to Sister Breda
& Sister Noreen McG
Dec
30
Dec
30
2018
Light 4 candles and remember that in your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are.'
Phil 2:6-7
Light 4 candles and remember that in your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are.'
Phil 2:6-7
Dedicated to Sister Catherine L
& Sister Mary Joy
May you have a
wonderful, peaceful
Christmas
as you share
the joy
of the birth of
the Infant Jesus
May you have a
wonderful, peaceful
Christmas
as you share
the joy
of the birth of
the Infant Jesus
1
Journey to Bethlehem
1
Journey to Bethlehem
A short carousel of slides showing Mary and Josephs' journey to Bethlehem.
Plus showing the journey of the Magi.
Click the right arrow to show each slide.
The journey to Bethlehem
Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey to be counted for the Roman census.
The journey to Bethlehem
Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey to be counted for the Roman census.
3
The journey to Bethlehem would have been hard and very difficult for a heavily pregnant Mary.
It is a journey that she didn't have to make as women weren't required to show up at a census.
Mary being no ordinary women travelled this hard path for the scriptures to be fulfilled.
3
The journey to Bethlehem would have been hard and very difficult for a heavily pregnant Mary.
It is a journey that she didn't have to make as women weren't required to show up at a census.
Mary being no ordinary women travelled this hard path for the scriptures to be fulfilled.
4
The journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth is approximately 80 miles and would have taken at least four days.
During these days their lives would be changing and their faith would be tested.
They do not know what lies ahead, they only know that they must keep going.
4
The journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth is approximately 80 miles and would have taken at least four days.
During these days their lives would be changing and their faith would be tested.
They do not know what lies ahead, they only know that they must keep going.
5
The Journey to Bethlehem
Mary being heavily pregnant had to frequently adjust her position as she sat on the little beast of burden.
Each time she moved the child within her would also move and kick.
5
The Journey to Bethlehem
Mary being heavily pregnant had to frequently adjust her position as she sat on the little beast of burden.
Each time she moved the child within her would also move and kick.
6
The journey to Bethlehem enabled the couple to be be greeted by the kindness of folk
6
The journey to Bethlehem enabled the couple to be be greeted by the kindness of folk
7
The journey to Bethlehem
Joseph continues to trudge ahead leading the donkey.
As they approach Bethlehem they meet others heading for the census.
7
The journey to Bethlehem
Joseph continues to trudge ahead leading the donkey.
As they approach Bethlehem they meet others heading for the census.
8
The journey to Bethlehem
This journey didn't just commence on the road to Bethlehem it started months earlier in Nazareth when this young girl received a message from the angel Gabriel. A message that would change the history for all of humankind.
8
The journey to Bethlehem
This journey didn't just commence on the road to Bethlehem it started months earlier in Nazareth when this young girl received a message from the angel Gabriel. A message that would change the history for all of humankind.
9
The journey to Bethlehem
The couple see Bethlehem in the distance.
They rest up in a peaceful location where they spend valuable time together.
This journey is nearly over but the harder journeys that lie ahead are unknown.
9
The journey to Bethlehem
The couple see Bethlehem in the distance.
They rest up in a peaceful location where they spend valuable time together.
This journey is nearly over but the harder journeys that lie ahead are unknown.
10
The journey to Bethlehem
The sun is setting as they approach Bethlehem
But in the sky is a bright star which lights their way.
10
The journey to Bethlehem
The sun is setting as they approach Bethlehem
But in the sky is a bright star which lights their way.
11
The journey of the Magi also began many months earlier.
For them it was a long journey in the dead of winter.
Would they do the journey again?
Yes
Were they led all that way for Birth or Death?
There was a certainly Birth. And they had also previously seen both birth and death.
But thought they were different:
This birth was so very hard with bitter agony. It was like Death, our death.
We returned home but no longer at ease.
11
The journey of the Magi also began many months earlier.
For them it was a long journey in the dead of winter.
Would they do the journey again?
Yes
Were they led all that way for Birth or Death?
There was a certainly Birth. And they had also previously seen both birth and death.
But thought they were different:
This birth was so very hard with bitter agony. It was like Death, our death.
We returned home but no longer at ease.
1The Birth of Jesus and Flight to Egypt
1
The Birth of Jesus and Flight to Egypt
A short carousal of slides showing the birth of Jesus, the arrival of the Magi and flight to Egypt
Click the right arrow to show each slide.
2
The birth of Jesus
The journey comes to an end.
No cosy room in an inn can be found.
The baby is born into a cold and hostile world.
2
The birth of Jesus
The journey comes to an end.
No cosy room in an inn can be found.
The baby is born into a cold and hostile world.
3The birth of Jesus
The parents delighted but apprehensive give support to one another.
3
The birth of Jesus
The parents delighted but apprehensive give support to one another.
4
The birth of Jesus
What destiny is ahead of our beautiful child?
4
The birth of Jesus
What destiny is ahead of our beautiful child?
5
The birth of Jesus
The child of simple and humble status is visited by the lowly shepherds
and the wise wealthy men from the East.
They were guided by a star to find this young king.
The Oriental custom required that an inferior shall approach his superior with a gift.
They lay before the child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
5
The birth of Jesus
The child of simple and humble status is visited by the lowly shepherds
and the wise wealthy men from the East.
They were guided by a star to find this young king.
The Oriental custom required that an inferior shall approach his superior with a gift.
They lay before the child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
6
The fight to Egypt
Joseph in a dream is told to 'Arise', so he immediately departs in the night with the young child and his mother to flee into Egypt.
6
The fight to Egypt
Joseph in a dream is told to 'Arise', so he immediately departs in the night with the young child and his mother to flee into Egypt.
7
The journey to Egypt was long and extremely dangerous.
Joseph and his precious Holy Family had to escape from the infanticide fury of King Herod.
The gifts from the Magi would help provide for the expenses of the journey and their stay until they return to their own land.
7
The journey to Egypt was long and extremely dangerous.
Joseph and his precious Holy Family had to escape from the infanticide fury of King Herod.
The gifts from the Magi would help provide for the expenses of the journey and their stay until they return to their own land.
Christmas Night
The Holy Night is nearly here
We've shared our journey with our sisters dear
Listen to the angels' voices
Hear the world as it rejoices
The night when the infant Jesus was born
Come rejoice this Christmas morn
Christmas Night
The Holy Night is nearly here
We've shared our journey with our sisters dear
Listen to the angels' voices
Hear the world as it rejoices
The night when the infant Jesus was born
Come rejoice this Christmas morn
You are invited to scroll down where you will find two short slide meditations.The
first 'The Journey to Bethlehem' the second 'The birth of Jesus and Flight into Egypt' .
Infant Jesus Sisters
England Ireland
Reg.Ch.No. 272581
Reg.Ch. CHY 7599/CRA 20017132