Advent Begins Nov. 30
Advent is all about waiting for the birth of the Baby Jesus. This year the season of waiting and preparation begins Nov. 30. It continues for four weeks until Christmas, Dec. 25.
There are many prophesies throughout the Old Testament that predict the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. For example, Isaiah 7:14 and 9:5 talk about Jesus’ birth.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name Him Emmanuel” (Is 7:14).
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince
of Peace” (Is 9:5).
This Advent, think of things your family might do to prepare for a new brother or sister. Would you buy blankets and diapers? Cribs and clothes? Maybe your family could buy some of these things and donate them to a pregnancy center.
Grade School Scripture (An Old Testament Story)
God Keeps Daniel Safe In the Lion’s Den
By Jennifer Ficcaglia, Catholic Courier
One day, King Darius of Babylon decided to appoint 120 satraps, or provincial governors, for his kingdom.
These men were accountable to three ministers, one of whom was Daniel.
Daniel was an Israelite who had been captured when Jerusalem was attacked by one of Babylon’s previous kings, Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel was the best person out of all the ministers and satraps, and King Darius considered setting him over the entire kingdom.
The ministers and satraps tried to find grounds to accuse Daniel of wrongdoing regarding the kingdom. Since Daniel was trustworthy, they could find no fault or corruption in him.
“We shall find no grounds for accusation against this Daniel except in connection with the law of his God,” the ministers and satraps agreed.
They approached King Darius and urged him to make a royal decree: for 30 days, whoever made a petition to anyone, divine or human, except to the king, would be thrown into a den of lions.
The king agreed and signed the decree.
Despite the decree, Daniel continued his custom of going home to kneel in prayer and give thanks to God in the upper chamber three times a day, with the windows open toward Jerusalem.
The ministers and satraps stormed in and found Daniel praying and pleading before God. They returned to the king and reported that Daniel had ignored the king’s decree.
The news saddened the king, and he attempted to save Daniel. But the ministers and satraps kept reminding him that the decree was irrevocable.
The king ordered Daniel to be cast into a lions’ den, and a stone was put in place to block the entrance.
“Your God, whom you serve so constantly, must save you,” he told Daniel.
The king rose early the next morning and rushed to the lions’ den to check on Daniel. As the king drew near, he cried out to Daniel.
“My God sent His angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me,” Daniel replied.
The king was overjoyed. Daniel was brought up from the lion’s den and was found to be unharmed because he trusted in God.
