As Christmas approaches, Caritas Australia is encouraging people to learn, pray and act each day during Advent with an interactive, multimedia Advent Calendar.
Caritas Australia’s Global Education Coordinator for Resources and Partnerships, Kate Andréo, said the stories, videos and reflections featured in the 2014 Advent calendar highlight the work of Caritas – which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary year – of standing in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities.
“The calendar gives a glimpse of the life-changing work we have supported over the past 50 years of love and compassion, with each day an opportunity to learn, act and pray for our partners in many regions around the world today,” Ms Andréo said.
“It is an opportunity to engage with our work during an important time in the Church’s calendar,” she said.
There are various versions of the calendar to choose from: an online web calendar, Android and iPhone/iPad applications, and an interactive PowerPoint written specifically for primary school children.
This year, the Advent calendar uses the symbol of the Advent wreath, a traditional centrepiece of the Christmas season.
“The Advent wreath teaches us about Christian preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and making our hearts truly ready to receive Him,” Ms Andréo said.
“The wreath itself is symbolic and a candle is lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’; lighting the candles on the Advent wreath symbolises the coming of Light (Jesus) into the world.”
The Advent calendar is aimed at school children as well as the public and parishioners and makes a great alternative to the usual chocolate-filled calendars many children are used to at Christmas.
This year, Advent begins on Sunday, 30 November. You can download all versions of the Advent calendar from mid-November at www.caritas.org.au/advent.