WHAT IS ADVENT?
Advent is a tradition celebrated by Christians in the weeks leading up to Christmas. They believe that this is a time of waiting and prayer as they anticipate the “birth of Christ,” and use candles to help count down the weeks until Christmas Eve.
ADVENT WREATH (Pic from Google Images)
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Eve. Four candles — traditionally three purple and one pink, though white, blue, or red are also used - are arranged on an evergreen wreath. On the first Sunday of Advent, which falls between November 27 and December 3, one purple candle is lit. Families celebrate by saying prayers, singing carols, or reading Bible passages about the time leading up to Christ’s birth. The next Sunday, two purple candles are lit.
On the third Sunday of Advent, two purple candles and the one pink candle are lit. This is a Sunday of celebration because it means that there is only one more week until Christmas Eve! On the last Sunday before Christmas Eve, all four of the candles on the wreath are lit and families sing carols
and prepare for Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
CHRISTMAS SERVICEE
After having gone through the preparation of one self to welcome the coming of Jesus Christ during Advent that ended on 24th of December the eve of Christmas, MAS was celebrated to receive the birth of Jesus Christ at Stella Maris Church starting at 8 pm The church was beautifully decorated giving the spirit of happiness, peace and sense of belonging as Christians .
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| The Crib |
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| Xmas Deco At Stella Maris Church |
On Christmas Eve the two of us (Aki and Odu) went to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Stella Maris Church with a solemn Mass starting at 8pm.
We went early around 6.30pm but there were already lots of cars. I was directed to park at the school Padang. As early as 6.45 pm the choir started to sing new Christmas Carols, composed by Neal Mah I guessed. I joined in the singing and I really enjoyed very much. Before the mass started the rain came heavily with strong wind and there were spray of rains got sipped into the church. Even though it was raining heavily the church was packed with enthusiastic congregations.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
On Christmas Day we had family lunch at my eldest son's house with POTLUCT style. Two dishes to be contributed by each family group. There were vegetable salad, steamed fish with large head, prepared by Lisa. Curry chicken and melon pork soup with Taj Mahal Rice prepared by Alex. Red bean roasted duck by Tina Jasica’s mum whilst Joyce prepared mixed vegetables and chicken stew. Joan cooked my favorite dish telinga tikus with tanghoon, black pepper lamb, twohow and bambangan as appetizer. A special prayer was said for the occasion.
The dishes
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| The dishes |
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| Roasted Duck by Tina |
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| Black Peeper Lambs by Joan |
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| Curry Chicken by Alex |
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| Steamed Fish by Lisa |
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| Ryan & Allie |
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| Ethan |
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| Chicken Stew by Joyce |
After every one had their fill, Theodore celebrated his 2nd year birth day by blowing the candles and cutting his Birth Day Cake with all his big brother & sister as well as all his cousins surrounding him singing the birthday song.
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| Tee Tee Durian Birth Date Cake |
Santa giving Christmas Presents
I was made to be the Santa Claus with just the cap, giving out the presents to 8 of my cucu2. Oh what a task I had to perform and I have no complain as I enjoyed seeing the many happy faces coming to hug and some even kissed me.
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| Ryan & Allie |
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| Ethan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Grand Ma & Pa with Allie and Joshua
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| Jasica |
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| Alex's Xmas Tree |
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| Aki House Xmas Tree |
Next year Christmas celebration will be at Ganang house and there will be competition for best decorated Xmas tree.
Christmas spent with family and sharing good food.. what more can you ask? Merry Christmas, Andrew, and a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for come by. I am glad you were able to celebrate Christmas Dinner with your family members and friends. At least you have your relief from your 24/7 hrs. nursing’s task. Good for you.
ReplyDelete