Religious Education News
SHOE-BOX-2024
DUE FRIDAY 6th Dec.
Christmas will soon be upon us, yet again! Every year Columba families have helped bring joy and hope to less fortunate children and families within our local community, through our Catholic Social Justice initiative, “Christmas in a Shoe-box Appeal”.
We are seeking to assist families through donations of gifts for children and adults. Last year’s contribution was incredibly successful with over 100 gifts donated to this most worthy cause and we are again asking families to be involved in this simple, hands-on project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. This is a real opportunity to encourage our children to reach out to others.
If your family would like to be involved in this thoughtful and generous project, simply shop for a gift and place it in a box or gift bag. Then label the gift with the age and gender of the person you think it would suit.
If you are unable to assist, you might consider donating some festive non-perishable goods for Christmas hampers.
I thank you for considering this hope filled project as a way of giving thanks for what we have and keeping in mind Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift.
Step 1
Shoe Box/Christmas box
Use an empty shoe box/Christmas box or bag.
Step 2
Fill With Gifts
Fill the box with a variety of gifts or single gift. Please note: we have been asked to secure the box with a ribbon or elastic band rather than wrapping them as St Vincent de Paul often add donated vouchers to the boxes.
Step 3
Drop Off
Write a gender and age label on each shoe box lid and drop off at Columba before Friday December 6th when we will present our gifts to a representative of our local St Vincent de Paul chapter.
What is Advent?
Advent is a four-week season dedicated to reflective preparation for the arrival, "advent", of Jesus Christ's Nativity at Christmas time as well and Christ's expected return in the Second Coming. During this important event on the church calendar, each week of Advent focuses on a different theme - hope, peace, joy, and love. Christians from all denominations and backgrounds celebrate Advent in different ways but all focus on the anticipation of waiting for the arrival of Jesus.
Why Advent Calanders?
The Advent calendar, a popular Christmas tradition, has its roots in Germany. It originated in the 19th century as a simple way to mark the days of Advent, either by burning candles or drawing chalk marks. Later, devotional images were added, leading to the creation of the first handmade Advent calendar in 1851.
In the early 20th century, printed calendars with small doors appeared, popularized by Gerhard Lang in the 1920s. These calendars often included short Bible verses behind the doors. However, due to World War II and subsequent paper shortages, Advent calendars became scarce.
After the war, Richard Sellmar revived the tradition, and his company, Sellmar-Verlag, remains a major producer of Advent calendars today. Chocolate-filled calendars gained popularity in the late 1950s and contributed to their global spread.
Despite its evolution, the Advent calendar continues to embody the essence of counting down the days to Christmas, a tradition that began with simple chalk marks on a wall.
