Advent Liturgies

Throughout this week pupils were invited to the main hall to celebrate our Advent Liturgies, led by Head of RE Mr Fetherston and accompanied by school chaplains Ruth and Joe. The Liturgies help pupils prepare for the birth of Christ and truly enter into Advent. Teachers and chaplaincy staff encouraged pupils to listen carefully to the scriptures chosen for the liturgy and explained how relevant they can be today.

The Advent Wreath, the Christian tradition that symbolises the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar, together with a nativity scene with manger, were the focus throughout the liturgies.

After an opening introduction by Ruth, pupils were encouraged to listen and open their hearts to be filled with hope, joy, peace and love – the free gifts Christ wants to bless us with during Advent.

An introduction by Mr Fetherston relating to the significance of the candle of Hope was followed by a reading from the prophet Isaiah 9:1-6 which accompanied by a video depicting the ‘Hope’ of Advent.

One of the names of Jesus we heard in our readings was ‘Prince of Peace’. When Jesus talks about peace, it is His peace we are offered. Our second reading from Luke’s Gospel, told of the annunciation which was again followed by a video graphically portraying the nativity. On reflection of the reading, Mr Fetherston explained that there was a sense of light in the reading that was deep, bright and eternal. This is the light of God that came into our world as a human baby. Mr Fetherston concluded that Jesus should be our guide and whatever darkness we might experience, his light will never fade and will always offer us a new life.

There were further presentations and reflection relating to the candles of Joy and Love, with Chaplain Joe explaining to pupils that God is love, who created us to be with him forever – in fulness of life and surrounded by His love and we should never cut ourselves off from Him.

Prayers of intercession were then read by senior pupils with all Liturgies concluding with a final prayer from each Head of Year.

After a closing prayer by Chaplain Ruth, pupils left the hall in silence accompanied by music with a true sense of Advent.