DECEMBER: wELCOMING jESUS
"Jesus is the center of our faith,
Christ-centered community is the center of our life,
and reconciliation is the center of our work."
Palmer Becker, August 5, 2005
Christ-centered community is the center of our life,
and reconciliation is the center of our work."
Palmer Becker, August 5, 2005
Concept: “Jesus is the center of our faith"
It’s Advent! The month in which we anticipate the birth of Jesus!
Advent is a time of waiting, watching and getting ready. 2,000 years ago, God broke into a world of pain in the form of a baby. In Advent, we remember that God still breaks into this world of pain. So we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ - and at the same time, we prepare to receive God here and now. It’s a season of “now-not-yet.” The kingdom is coming! And the kingdom is here. Or as Mennonite songwriter Bryan Moyer Suderman puts it, “There’s a new world coming, it’s already here, it’s on its way…let’s begin to live that way.” Advent is a time to see what God wants this world to look like and to live into it. (Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)
It’s Advent! The month in which we anticipate the birth of Jesus!
Advent is a time of waiting, watching and getting ready. 2,000 years ago, God broke into a world of pain in the form of a baby. In Advent, we remember that God still breaks into this world of pain. So we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ - and at the same time, we prepare to receive God here and now. It’s a season of “now-not-yet.” The kingdom is coming! And the kingdom is here. Or as Mennonite songwriter Bryan Moyer Suderman puts it, “There’s a new world coming, it’s already here, it’s on its way…let’s begin to live that way.” Advent is a time to see what God wants this world to look like and to live into it. (Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)
Read It: Luke 2: 1-20
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Pray It: Jesus, you are welcome here. Amen
Do It: There are so many fantastic ways to practice Advent! Here we offer three very simple practices, best done nightly with little ones. These ideas didn’t originate with us - actually, they’re so common that we don’t know where they come from originally! Sometimes things are tried and true for a reason.
- Advent Wreath: This ritual helps a family anticipate the birth of Jesus and gives a holy, cozy moment each day. (Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash)
- Create a wreath with four candles arranged in a circle, and one candle in the middle. Traditionally, three of the outer candles are purple and one is pink, and the one in the center is white. It’s also okay for them to be any color! Decorate your wreath together if you want to - the traditional way to do this is with evergreens from outdoors. (Safety Note: Evergreens are highly flammable! You can also do this with fake greens or other kind of decor, and it’s okay to use battery-operated candles.)
- Each evening, come together for Advent time. During supper or before bed are great times to gather. Light your candle(s) and say this month’s prayer (Jesus, you are welcome here). That’s enough! If you want to do more, you can read Luke 2:1-20 and/or sing an Advent or Christmas song together.
- November 30-December 6: Light one purple candle (this candle’s Advent word is “hope”)
- December 7-13: Light two purple candles (the second candle’s word is “peace.”)
- December 14-20: Light three candles - 2 purple and 1 pink (the pink candle’s word is “joy.”)
- December 21-24: Light all four outer candles (the fourth candle’s word is “love.”)
- December 25: Light all four, plus the center candle, the Christ candle.
- Paper Chain: This chain is all about anticipation and counting down! The addition of having scripture on the loops also helps your household tell the story.
- Print this document on colored paper. ( 1 verse for each day: Matthew 1: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22-23; Luke 2: 1,2,3,4,.....20)
- Create a paper chain together - cut out strips of colorful paper and glue or tape the loops together to create a chain for every day of Advent (usually 25 loops)
- Each day, a child gets to tear a loop off. After they tear it off, read the scripture on the loop, then pray this month’s prayer together (Jesus, you are welcome here).
- Journey to the Manger: This is a physical way to experience the journey toward the manger and the birth of Jesus.
- Set up a nativity set at the beginning of December. Hide Baby Jesus. Place Mary and Joseph at another place in the room.
- Each night, move them just a little closer to the manger. When you do that, pray this month’s prayer (Jesus, you are welcome here).
- On Christmas Day, bring them all the way to the manger and place Jesus there.
Explore It:
I had not highly valued practicing advent routines - UNTIL I had children. Then, I realized how beneficial focusing together in these ways could be, not only to my children, but also to me personally
I had not highly valued practicing advent routines - UNTIL I had children. Then, I realized how beneficial focusing together in these ways could be, not only to my children, but also to me personally
- Be Amazed, The Advent at Home resource that Talashia wrote for MC USA is available (free) in both English and Spanish.
- Little ones may also enjoy creating their own version of an advent wreath. Remember that perfection is NOT the goal!
- Paper Plate Advent Wreath Craft This would be fun IF you are open to some fun creative messiness
- Advent Wreath Rip Art Craft Download their template - or just draw your own oval and rectangles to make your own.
- 25 Ways to Enjoy a More Meaningful Christmas Pick and choose however many or few activities and special events you want during December to fit your family and life.
