Advent Week 3 - Crib Service

Sunday 12th December 10:30am

Lay Led

Children needed to set up the holy stable, come along, get involved!

Refreshments, tea, cake and biscuits after the service. We look forward to seeing you.

National COVID Rules for today

• Cover face (unless exempt)
• Use hand gel
• Social distance
• Sing gently (with or without a mask)

Zephaniah 3: 14-end; Philippians 4: 4-7; Luke 3: 7-18

The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical colour for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

The individual evergreens that make up the wreath have their own meanings that can be adapted to our faith. The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering. The pine, holly, and yew signify immortality and the cedar signifies strength and healing. The pine cones that decorate the wreath symbolize life and resurrection. The wreath as a whole is meant to remind us of both the immortality of our souls and God’s promise of everlasting life to us through Christ.

(mercyhome.org/blog/sunday-mass/advent-wreath/)