On a new page, miss the top two lines and… List as many things as you can that you are looking forward to.

3.1 Advent To know what Christians remember at Advent To know some of the prophecies about the Messiah

Advent Advent comes from the word Adventus meaning “coming” During advent we think of when the Hebrews (Jews) were originally waiting for the Messiah and also we remember that we are waiting for the second coming of Jesus.

The Second Coming Christians believe that there will come a time when Jesus will return to earth and he will judge us. Some will go to the new heaven and the new earth and some will go into the eternal fire. During advent we remember that we are waiting for Jesus to return.

Advent Churches often start to sing carols during advent. In many churches people arrive for the advent service to find the building in total darkness. As they enter the church, each person is handed a lighted candle and so the church is gradually bathed in light. What do you think this represents? Most of the focus in church, during advent, is on the prophets who predicted the coming of the Messiah

The Prophets and Patriarchs During Advent Christians remember that certain people predicted the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. These people were the prophets, one prophet was Isaiah. Messiah means “anointed (or chosen) one.” They believed that he would be sent by God to get rid of their enemies and to be their king. These prophesies about the Messiah meant that the Jewish people, the Hebrews) were waiting for a Messiah to arrive.

Who was the Messiah that the Jews were expecting? There were many prophecies in the Old testament which told the Jews that a Messiah (chosen one) would come. These prophecies told them many things about the Messiah. See if you can work out which of these are real prophecies and which are false. (word wall) WW

The Messiah What were two prophecies about the Messiah that were fulfilled in the Christmas story. The Messiah would be descended from King David The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The Messiah would be born of a virgin.

Advent questions What does Advent mean? When do we celebrate advent? What two things do we remember at advent? Who did the prophets say would arrive? List four prophecies about the “anointed one” Why do you think we have advent calendars? Why do you think Christians look forward to the second coming? Plenary quiz