7 December 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical Colour: VIOLET
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CollectAlmighty God,
you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of your Son; grant that those who proclaim your word may so guide our feet into the way of peace, that we may stand with confidence before him when he comes in his glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer. Amen. E te Atua Kaha rawa, i tonoa e koe tāu pononga a Hoani Kaiiriiri hei whakapai i te huarahi mō te haerenga mai o tāu Tama; tukua ki a rātou e kauwhau nei i tāu kupu ā, arahina ō mātou waewae ki te ara o te rangimārie, kia tū tangata ai mātou i mua i tōna aroaro mō tōna taenga mai i runga i te korōria o tōna kīngitanga; E īnoi ai mātou i roto i a te Karaiti tō mātou Kaiwhakawā, me tō mātou Kaihoko. Āmine |
Prepare the way (Matthew 3:1-12) / Advent 2: Peace (Rangimarie)
Today's story looks how John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus.
Input for leadersSecond Advent Candle/Sunday: Peace
“May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.” – Pope Francis The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also [often] purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. Building on the meaning of the Prophecy Candle, this second candle recalls that after all of the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth – Jesus is coming, and so is his Kingdom of Peace. As we read in the quote from Pope Francis, this light of peace shone forth from Bethlehem for all the world. [From hallow.com] |
10 Minutes to more peace (Crossroads)
Gospel Conversations 2025: We have a bevy of bishops as we explore Advent 2 this week! The present, immediate past, and past-past bishops of Dunedin gather with Michael to ponder the place and message of John the Baptist within our Advent story. What is the core of his message? Repent? The Kingdom of God is here? Is it a message of warning or promise?
Gospel Conversations 2022: John the Baptist has arrived on the scene, living wild and threatening winnowing and fire. How is this a preparation for the message of Jesus?
Visio Lectio
Another great print illustration from Rev. Sarah West, from Visio Lectio (shared with permission). PNG Download Terms of Use |
Lighting the Advent CandleEach week we gather together and light another candle. We see the light growing brighter and brighter as we get closer to the birth of the “Light of the World.”
Here is one way to do it (there are lots of different ways!): The focus this second week of Advent is Peace.
Intergenerational Worship
Advent 2: Peace (Intergen Australia)
Advent to Christmas Series: Year A 2026 Written and compiled by Katherine Ruhle. Bible references: Isaiah, Romans. 
Advent 2: A a leopard change it's spots? (Intergen Australia)
Advent to Christmas Series: Year A 2023 Written and compiled by Alison Knox. Bible references: Isaiah, Matthew, Psalm. Kids TalksOn this week's readings
On the theme of peace
Games & ActivitiesAdvent games (The GO Project 2021) - a selection of fun games for advent.
Fun Sheets / Colouring / Board Game
Christmas Craft - Peace The second week of Advent is for peace. Jesus came to bring peace to the world. Here are a few crafts to remind us:
Christmas Craft - DIY Nativities Try these ones:
Questions
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Preschool PlayTell the story - Try one of these:
Nativity Set Explore the story with a Nativity Discovery Box (Flame Creative) Talk about - who are each of the characters, how this story really happened, going on journeys, new babies, and Christmas. Why do we still tell this story today? Treasure Hunt - cut out some paper nativity characters (Strandz) and hide them around the room. See if the kids can find all of them. You could also use these on the art table for colouring and cutting. Follow the donkey (or wise men or Mary & Joseph) Invite the kids to play follow the leader, but instead of "the leader" make it something or someone in the story - e.g. follow the donkey. Choose a leader/donkey for the group; and get them to lead the group around the roomn, choosing funny things to do like galloping, skipping, or crawling. You can do this with several different characters if the kids are enjoying it. Talk about - the character you are using and ask some questions from their perspective. I wonder what they felt in the story? I wonder who you would like to be in the story today? Playdough Station - Try this advent journey playdough mat (Flame Creative), or put out some playdough, people and animals and let the kids recreate the story. Talk about - have you ever gone on a trip? Where did you go? What did you take? Where did you stay? I wonder what it would be like to stay in a stable? If you made salt dough ornaments last week don't forget to decorate them this week! Pray it!Interactive Journey Prayers (also a great intergenerational activity)
You will need:
Art in AdventIf you want to mark Advent in a simple rich way, how about creating a space where your kids can spend some time with Advent art. Some of my favourites advent depicting artists are John Swanson, Julie Vivas, and He Qi.
Try these questions or make up your own:
The Visitation - James B Janknegt, 2007 
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