The Second Coming We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

During Advent We remember the coming of Christ into our world over two thousands years ago We try like Mary to do what God wants so that we can help bring about God’s Kingdom We prepare for when Christ will come again

The kingdom of God When John the Baptist was preaching in the desert he said “Repent for the Kingdom of God is close at hand” Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God

During his life Jesus taught us by what he said and did. A parable is a teaching story It is like a seed because the meaning of the story has to grow inside of us till we understand it properly and live it out

This is a famous parable called the parable of the sheep and the goats

Read the story in Mathew’s Gospel Mt 25 v31-46 This is a story about how we are to bring about God’s kingdom You have to think about this carefully but it can mean more than just the literal words. Look at the worksheet. The first two try to give you some ideas. Complete the third column.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

Read the Story in Mathew’s Gospel 25v1-13 Remember this is a parable, a teaching story. Jesus told it to make a point. What point was he trying to make? On the first Sunday of Advent in church we will here a Gospel taken from Mark 13. This is not meant to be a literal account of the end of the world but tries to say important things to people. In it Jesus says:

Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 13:34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 13:35 Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 13:36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 13:37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

Jesus keeps saying ‘Stay awake, stay alert’ Jesus keeps saying ‘Stay awake, stay alert’. He didn’t mean literally don’t go to sleep so what did he mean?

Is the Kingdom here? The Kingdom is here amongst us when people try to live in the way God wants but not everyone does this. On the second Sunday of Advent the people in church hear the words of Isaiah.

A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 40:4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 40:5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

What do these words mean? (think back to previous work) One Advent Hymn uses these words

1. God comes, run out to meet him; God comes, hurry to greet him; God comes, try to be ready, for the King is on his way. So... How can we be ready according to scripture?

2. Christ comes, now we will heed him; Christ comes, all of us need him Christ comes, hope of the nations, Son of Justice, Prince of Peace. So... Do people listen to Christ? Do we need him? Why is Jesus called Hope of the nations and prince of peace? Can you refer to scripture in your answer?

. Look up, bonds cut asunder; look up, waiting in wonder; look up, soon you will see him, Christ the Lord is on his way. So Whose bonds does Christ cut? How do we see Christ today? Is he on his way?

Listen and watch the following reflection http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwPI1U5bNI0 by Christine Sine Or alternatively https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhBB5bwuzl4