Celebrating Advent as a Family, 2005

In the same way that a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent you have an opportunity to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. Advent is a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and of hope and of joy. It’s a time of opening our hearts to Christ’s presence and grace in our lives and his continuing work of transformation in us.

We all know that Advent’s spiritual dimension can so easily be lost in the many distractions which bombard us during this season. The month of December is filled with expectation and celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — shopping and decorating, baking and cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity. As parents, you set the tone for your family’s celebration of the Advent season and preparation of their hearts for the birth of the

Savior.

One way of avoiding a lot of the ‘hype’ of the season, is to put away the T.V. (if you have one) during Advent. It is amazing how much easier it is to make Advent holy. It has been an accepted tradition in the Church to fast and make sacrifices during this season of preparation, so perhaps we could take on the practice of sacrificing viewing time. That time could make room for God breaking into your lives.

You may have some activities and celebrations that are part of your family tradition during Advent. You might be interested in some of the ideas that are listed below. They can also be found on the Family Outreach Homepage, http://www.dioceseofjuneau.org/Family/family.htm,

where you’ll find a direct link to more information about many of the ideas.

These weeks of Advent give us a chance to prepare spiritually for the gift of God breaking into our lives. Choose carefully how you use this time. What is it that you want your children to learn about how to prepare for Christmas?

Adopt a Family - or prepare boxes for the poor

Advent Angels (hidden service for others) - sometimes called 'Krist Kringel' - tell angel stories, be an earth angel. Learn more at http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/FRIDGE/gifts_cust.htm

Advent Calendar - make with window, pockets, plain calendar, journal

Advent Wreath - create with 4 candles (3 purple or blue, 1 pink), pray each Sunday and weekday

Making Advent Wreaths –

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/MKADVWR.HTM

Advent Wreath Prayers –

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19991201/FRIDGE/wreath_prayers.htm

Advent Wreath Coloring Page –

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19991201/FRIDGE/wreath_colour.htm

Backpack – talk about what is needed and fill with age-appropriate supplies for the Advent journey

Banners/Door Hangers - announcing the coming of Christ

Bible - place in a prominent position

Celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas - discuss the true meaning of the song; culminating in a 12th night party

Christ Light - put a Christ Light in the window (light December 25)

Christmas Cards - write and sign cards to friends and family

Christmas Pageant - read the Christmas story or act out in mime with narrator; prepare costumes, rehearse

Create a Crèche - use puppets, spools of thread, marionettes, shadow puppets

December 6/St. Nicholas Feast Day - receive tangerines, nuts, small gift – For more information and activities go to www.wf-f.org/st.nicholas.html and http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19991201/FRIDGE/st_nick.htm

December 8/Immaculate Conception - place statue of Mary out, read, tell story of Mary, show a video

December 16/Novena of Las Posada - visit each other's homes and pray together

December 17/O Antiphons - count down to Christmas; old songs of longing and praise for the last week of Advent. Visit http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19991201/FRIDGE/o_antiphons.htm to learn more.

Decorate the Tree - don't turn on the lights until Christmas Eve, if possible

Jesse Tree - symbols (one a day) from the Old Testament. You’ll find instruction at www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM

Our Lady of Guadalupe - tell story, read, book, show video or celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a traditional Mexican decoration and game. Go to http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/FRIDGE/pinata.htm for instructions on making a pinata.

Reconciliation - prepare yourself for the feast of Christmas by receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.

St. Lucy - tell story, do service for another

Advent is a time rich in images…. allow God to touch you through them!

Light

Darkness

Valleys will be lifted up

God is the potter we are the clay

The mountains will be made low

Rough places will be made smooth

Make a straight highway in the desert for our God

God feeding his flock like a shepherd

Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

The day of the Lord will come like a thief

Being baptized with water

Waiting for one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit

A voice cries out in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord

Being clothed with justice

The earth brings forth its shoots; God brings forth justice

People ask, “Who is the Messiah?”

God says, “I will appoint a place for my people and will plant them”

“You will conceive and bear a son”

“The power of the most high will overshadow you”

The mighty does great things for me; fills the hungry with good things;

sends the rich away empty

Spirit

Wisdom

Courage