Pax Christi Youth Ministry Middle-High School Proof Advent and Christmas Reflection - Student Guide How to Use this Reflection Prayer is often times something we put on the back burner, but it really should be our number one priority each and every day. Advent is a great time to return to and/or deepen your prayer life, which is really the basis of your relationship with God. Spend some time this week, during, and after Christmas in prayer. This guide includes a few different ways you can pray right at home, either on your own or with your family. As you page though you will find that we have included multiple ways for you to pray: 1. Images - These are original works created during the artist’s own reflection on the Advent and Christmas seasons and Gospels. Sometimes all we need is to gaze upon an image and ponder the beauty, goodness, and truth the artist is hoping to convey. 2. Song Lyrics and/or Poetry - Songs or poetry is a popular form of communicating some of the deepest human emotions. Furthermore, their beauty can uplift our hearts and illuminate truth unlike anything else. We have included the lyrics for four different songs which correspond to the four different images in this guide. We have also included links to the video performances of those songs. Just take some time to let the lyrics and melodies move your heart. 3. Sacred Scripture - there is quite possibly no better way to pray than by using God’s own Word. So often we forget that Sacred Scripture itself is a prayer. Take some time and read each of the three Gospels included line by line, s-l-o-w-l-y… Let the words sink in and see if any of them stick out to you as new, different, strange, beautiful, challenging, etc… write down some of your thoughts like you would in a journal. 4. Writing/Reflecting - throughout the guide you will find space to write down your own thoughts. Take some time to write whatever comes to mind. Come back and read what you have written after some time has passed, have your thoughts changed, are they the same? How so?
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Pax Christi Youth Ministry Middle-High School Proof Advent and Christmas Reflection - Student Guide
How to Use this Reflection
Prayer is often times something we put on the back burner, but it really should be our number
one priority each and every day. Advent is a great time to return to and/or deepen your prayer
life, which is really the basis of your relationship with God. Spend some time this week, during,
and after Christmas in prayer.
This guide includes a few different ways you can pray right at home, either on your own or with
your family. As you page though you will find that we have included multiple ways for you to
pray:
1. Images - These are original works created during the artist’s own reflection on the
Advent and Christmas seasons and Gospels. Sometimes all we need is to gaze upon an
image and ponder the beauty, goodness, and truth the artist is hoping to convey.
2. Song Lyrics and/or Poetry - Songs or poetry is a popular form of communicating some of
the deepest human emotions. Furthermore, their beauty can uplift our hearts and
illuminate truth unlike anything else. We have included the lyrics for four different songs
which correspond to the four different images in this guide. We have also included links
to the video performances of those songs. Just take some time to let the lyrics and
melodies move your heart.
3. Sacred Scripture - there is quite possibly no better way to pray than by using God’s own
Word. So often we forget that Sacred Scripture itself is a prayer. Take some time and
read each of the three Gospels included line by line, s-l-o-w-l-y… Let the words sink in
and see if any of them stick out to you as new, different, strange, beautiful, challenging,
etc… write down some of your thoughts like you would in a journal.
4. Writing/Reflecting - throughout the guide you will find space to write down your own
thoughts. Take some time to write whatever comes to mind. Come back and read what
you have written after some time has passed, have your thoughts changed, are they the
You Gave Us Your Love By: The Vigil Project (Greg & Lizzy)
Use this space to write any thoughts: Come to our stable there is room for you to dwell ______________________________ In flesh and blood to prove your love While we were sinners you became Emmanuel ______________________________ You have become one of us You have become one with us ______________________________ You gave us your only son ______________________________ To all of our weakness in flesh you have come Emmanuel our God is with us now ______________________________ You gave us your love
______________________________ Come to our stable there is room here in our hearts Redeem the mess we offer you ______________________________ We need a savior a light to shine into the dark And make it new ______________________________ Your presence makes all things new
______________________________ You gave us your only son To all of our weakness in flesh you have come ______________________________ Emmanuel our God is with us now You gave us your love ______________________________ You gave us, gave us (4X) ______________________________ Your yes to every promise You gave us, gave us ______________________________ The fullness of Your joy
______________________________ You gave us, gave us (2x) Your love ______________________________ You gave us, gave us (3x) Your word as flesh and blood ______________________________ You gave us, gave us Your love ______________________________
You gave us your only son ______________________________ To all of our weakness in flesh you have come Emmanuel our God is with us now ______________________________ You gave us your love
Video of this song being performed can be found at: