Christian Education News

ADVENT 2014

ARE YOU GETTING STRESSED ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS?

Tis the season for too much activity, to much shopping, too much food, too many presents, too many commitments to fit in, and not enough time for focusing on Jesus coming to earth. See if this looks familiar?

Busy Christmas

Often we let all the other stuff obscure the purpose of the season for us. And let's face it -- Observing a Season of Advent is not exactly the cultural norm, unless it means chocolates in a cute calendar with a new door to open every day. I am already seeing advertisements for all the "Christmas Specials" that will be on the day after Thanksgiving.

So what's a church to do?

Help your members of all ages learn to slow down a bit, give more, ask for less, and breathe. Our liturgies are usually a little simpler, a little quieter and more reflective. There is often the opportunity for some moments of reflection and reading. Help people carve out the time to be with each other and to spend some time with those in need. Help suggest ways to turn this into a season of giving and not just getting, Joy as well as happiness, Jesus - and not just Santa.

I've created some Pinterest Pages - one on Advent ideas suitable for home and church, and one with links to Christmas Pageant Scripts. Check out my website www.massformation.org for more resources as well. Also - I'm including some resources in the articles below to help you in your Advent Journeys.

Blessings,

Amy

Advent Online

Sometimes the easiest way to refocus your attention to the season may be as near as your phone or your computer.

For a wonderful online daily meditation, check out www.d365.org. This has wonderful meditations (with or without music) that give you a moment to read, reflect and pray with a daily reading.

For a beautiful and interactive Advent Page, check out the online offering from the brothers at SSJE. There is a photo and a meditation every day beginning on November 30th and their instagram page allows you to post your own photos around the word of the day.

Maybe you are feeling really creative and want to make your own Advent Calendar. Try and online version and invite others with Advientos. This could make a great project for a youth group, confirmation class, or sunday school.

Busted Halo always has a good online calendar for Advent. Their new one will be up December 1. Until then, check out this page.

Here is an Online Advent Calendar - with lots about the season, the saints, and the hymns of Advent.

For the more serious seekers of Advent wisdom, try an online course from Spirituality and Practice: The Gospel of Thomas for Advent (2014) with Cynthia Bourgeault. Included in the price are daily reading as well as online group will offer a place to share and discuss with Cynthia herself, as well as resources for a spiritual practice of chanting.

Want to be inspired in a new way? Check out Advent Conspiracy to get to a new place in your thinking about Christmas and the world. Warning -- not for the spiritually selfish.

Advent at Home

There are some easily accessible ways to keep Advent at home -- to help you slow down and notice the season. With some special attention to ritual, time, and your own awareness, Advent can become a special time of waiting on God in your life. Advent wreath

Advent Wreath Making - This is a popular practice in home of lighting a candle each night and praying before dinner - then adding a new candle each week. The object of the wreath and candles helps families to focus on the season. Here is a Advent Wreath Liturgy appropriate for your church. Here is a great explanation of the Advent Wreath with prayers for the home.

Pray Together: If this isn't a daily habit, use the season of Advent to start this practice of praying together as a family. It doesn't have to be fancy. If you don't have an Advent Wreath, then just light a candle and use a simple prayer. From the Book of Alternative Services from the Anglican Church in Canada, here is an Advent prayer for the home:

Leader: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

All: Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Leader: Source of all light, send your Son Jesus Christ to shine in our dark world. Help us to prepare our hearts to receive him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Share Stories: Advent is a great time to share stories - from your family history and experiences, what Christmas means to you, what are the wishes and expectations of each family member. Perhaps pull out some family heirlooms and talk about one every week. How are we connected to our past? Click here for more on sharing stories.

Read the Nativity Story: Pick a children's Bible, a favorite Christmas storybook, the Bible passage, or look at this Online Interactive Nativity story for a modern retelling. Perhaps watch a movie version of the story such as the Nativity Story, and discuss as a family.

Set Up a Nativity Scene or Creche: Create a special corner, almost a home altar space, where you set up the family nativity set. If you don't have one, make one. On Pinterest are all kinds of creative ways to make a creche. Check out my Advent Pinterest Page for some downloadable designs. I love this picture with the 3 kings moving one rock closer each day. It is both creche and Advent Calendar. Be sure to not put the Baby Jesus out until Christmas Eve.

Serve Together: Pick a service project, or several, to do together as a family. It gets the focus off "stuff" and on to helping others. But more than that - it is a chance for families to do something meaningful together. If you want to pass on the value of service and outreach to your kids, this is a great way. Here is 24 Days of Random Acts and one mom's blog on Family Service projects in Advent to help you get started.

Combine some of all of this in the Family Advent Calendar: Here is an easy way to talk, pray, serve, and count down the time to Christ's birth. The Rev. Thomas Mousin, St. John's, Charlestown, has created a lovely downloadable Advent Calendar suitable for everyone.