It's About TIME...
This period lasts FOUR weeks.
What is ADVENT?
The fourth week is often a short one, though, since Christmas is always on December 25, which is often NOT a Sunday.
The Wise Men finally join the nativity scene.
What is EPIPHANY?
"Epiphany" means an illuminating discovery: The wise men followed the star (illumination) to discover the new King, Jesus, the Light of the World!
Jesus was born in a stable, and placed in a manger to rest.
What is CHRISTMAS?
A "manger" is a trough out of which animals eat. Of course Baby Jesus was not food for the animals in the stable, but he would become Bread for the entire World!
____________ and ____________ are two groups of people to visit Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
What are SHEPHERDS and WISE MEN?
Shepherds were commonly poor, and the Wise Men were considered kings - this is a sign the Jesus came for ALL people on earth, the rich and the poor alike!
The Wise Men knew this sign would let them know the Messiah was born.
What is a STAR?
It was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Whether that was always true or not, it would be very fitting (and thus we believe) that God gave the Wise Men the sign of the Star to lead them to the Ruler of rulers, Jesus!
This period is typically said to last 12 days.
(But is it really 19?)
What is CHRISTMAS?
One common end to the Christmas season is the Feast of the Epiphany, but the Church actually celebrates the Christmas season all the way through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, one week later!
We wait for baby Jesus to join the nativity scene.
What is ADVENT?
Only animals would have been in the stable, eating straw out of the manger, before Mary and Joseph appeared.
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, where there would be no room in the Inn.
What is ADVENT?
Jesus was born on what we now call Christmas, but we prepare for his birth - as Joseph and Mary did - before then, in the season we now call Advent!
Mary rode a ___________.
What is DONKEY?
Jesus would also ride on a donkey, 33 years later, as he came to Jerusalem to claim his Kingship of Heaven (through his passion, death and resurrection).
The reason the Wise Men chose and brought the three specific gifts they gave to Jesus.
What is THEY WERE GIFTS FIT FOR A KING?
Kings would receive gifts of great value. Though Jesus could not make use of them immediately (like a baby today might receive diapers or clothing), they may have proved helpful in other ways...
Of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, it's the one that can only be said to last ONE day.
What is EPIPHANY?
This feast is celebrated on (or around) January 6, the 12th day after Christmas Day.
Of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, these TWO are Days of Holy Obligation.
What are CHRISTMAS and EPIPHANY?
In addition to regular Sunday Mass, Holy Days of Obligation are special days throughout the year that Catholics are required to attend Mass and celebrate!
Angels appeared to the Shepherds.
What is CHRISTMAS?
When Angels appeared to people in the Bible, it was often very scary because they are so mighty! The Angel told the shepherds in the field to not be afraid, and to go see the newborn King!
The Wise Men brought gifts of _________, _________, and _________.
What are GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH?
(Thankfully this wasn't a spelling test!)
Frankincense = healing (PRIEST)
Myrrh = anointing (PROPHET)
Gold = riches (KING)
This is who the Wise Men first visited to ask where they might find the Messiah.
Who is KING HEROD?
Herod was jealous upon hearing of the birth of a new King, and would do anything to hold onto his throne!
This is a liturgical season.
What is ADVENT or CHRISTMAS?
Both are considered liturgical seasons!
of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, the one(s) in which the priest wears WHITE.
What is CHRISTMAS and EPIPHANY?
White is worn throughout the Christmas and Easter seasons, as well as on several feast days throughout the year, to symbolize purity, light, and triumph.
Other colors priests will wear include violet (penance), green (life), red (blood), black (mourning), rose (joy), and gold (which can replace white, red or green).
Wise Men brought the gifts to baby Jesus.
What is EPIPHANY?
Although we celebrate this feast day on (or around) the 12th day after Christmas, in reality it would have taken the Wise Men much longer (even years) to visit Baby Jesus!
The Angels sang _____________.
What is "GLORIA!" or "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!"?
Like the Angels appeared to the Shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus, we are joined in church by the Angels and Saints each and every time we celebrate Mass!
The Wise Men had a dream and decided not to return to Herod, but to go home by another route. THIS is what the dream told them.
What is HEROD WANTED TO KILL THE MESSIAH ... or ... JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH SHOULD FLEE TO EGYPT?
An Angel would later appear to Joseph saying it was safe to return, and the Holy Family would eventually settle in the town of Nazareth, where Jesus would grow up, and eventually begin his ministry.
Of the three options, these TWO can be said to be feast days.
What are CHRISTMAS and EPIPHANY?
Christmas Day is a feast day, and it is also the start of the Christmas season!
The priest wears violet during this season.
What is ADVENT?
Violet (or purple, indigo, blue-purple) is also worn during the season of Lent, and represents Penance, humility, melancholy (gloominess).
A Star appears in the sky.
What is CHRISTMAS or EPIPHANY?
The Wise Men see the Star at its rising once Jesus is born (Christmas), and follow it until they find him (Epiphany).
Joseph is Jesus’ ____________.
What is STEPFATHER ... or ADOPTIVE FATHER or FOSTER FATHER or EARTHLY FATHER?
Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, since Jesus is the Son of God, though at the time he would have "legally" been known as his father. Mary, on the other hand, was the biological mother of Jesus, and is now the Queen Mother of Heaven and Earth!
This is how the gifts of the Wise Men likely helped Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
What is THEY GAVE THEM RESOURCES, MONEY, THEY NEEDED TO FLEE TO EGYPT AND LIVE THERE UNTIL THE DANGER PASSED?
Joseph was a carpenter by trade, and would not have been a very wealthy man, so the valuable gifts from the Wise Men likely came in very handy!