Some Ideas for Advent

Compiled by Jane Tibbs, Children’s Adviser for the Diocese of Bath and Wells

Advent and the Family Wreath Advent is a time when Christians look forward to the coming of Christ; the family can prepare for the nativity by taking part in various activities or acts of worship in the home, aimed at bringing out the religious significance of the feast, which is so often lost through the materialism of the pre-Christmas period. Such activities and worship can usefully include making Advent wreaths and special Christmas tree decorations which have a religious meaning, or holding Advent services in the home which look forward, through readings and prayers, to both the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. The Advent wreath is an old German custom that is being used to an increasing extent throughout the western world. Such wreaths can be bought, but preferably a family should make its own wreath as we tend to give greater value to something into which we have put our own effort and thought, and also because children generally enjoy making these things. To make a wreath one needs to construct a circle of wire to fix the evergreens on to. Chicken wire is particularly useful as it provides holes into which the candle holders can be put. These holders can be made from screw-on bottle tops. The candles are fixed into them by dropping a little melted wax into the bottom and then holding the candle in this until it sets. Holly, ivy and other evergreens are fixed on by wire (florist’s wire or electrical fuse wire are useful).

If the wreath is to hang on the wall a red ribbon can be intertwined round the wreath and tied in bows with long streamers, or a purple ribbon can be used for Advent and changed to a joyous red for Christmas day. The wreath can be laid flat on a table – for instance to form the centre piece of the dining table throughout the Advent season. If so, Christmas tree candles (or larger ones if preferred) can be fixed into holders. Candles would not be safe if the wreath is to hang vertically and some form of artificial lighting could be used. While the wreath is being made, the symbolism of light and how Christians have always thought of Christ as bringing light into the darkness and chaos of a disordered world could be explained to the children.

Each Sunday in Advent the family can gather around their wreath and have a little ceremony. When they do this a candle is lit or light turned on to symbolise the coming of the fullness of light, so that each week an additional candle is lit. First Sunday After the candle is lit … Leader: We light this first candle to remind us of all God’s people, always preparing for Jesus to come among them. All: He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths! Leader: Jesus says, “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” All: Lord, help us to be ready to serve you, to follow you and to know you, so our lives will reflect your love.

Second Sunday After the candles are lit … Leader: We light this second candle to remind us of God’s word through the prophets and in the Bible, looking to the day of Jesus’ birth. All: We believe everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Leader: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit All: Lord, help our lives and the whole earth to be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!

Third Sunday After the candles are lit … Leader: We light this third candle to remind us of John the Baptist, prophet of the most high God who prepared the way for Jesus to come. All: But how will we know? What does the Scripture say? Leader: The Lord says, “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you” All: Lord, help us to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near!

Fourth Sunday After the candles are lit … Leader: We light this fourth candle to remind us of Jesus’ mother, Mary, and earthly father, Joseph, who believed God’s promise, “Mary will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” All: May our hearts, too, praise the Lord and rejoice in God as our Saviour Leader: But the promise goes further, “what is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save hid people from their sins.” All: Lord, help us to believe that you can do great things through people like us, too. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, assure us of your love and strengthen us in your service.

Christmas Day After the candles are lit … Leader: We light this fifth candle to remind us of Jesus, the living word sent down to the earth! All: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation! Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders All: And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Leader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light – Jesus the Light of the World All: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out! Leader: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us All: We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth! Praise the Lord!

Advent wreath    

 

Cut three potatoes in half Scoop out a hole in five of the halves the right size for a candle to stand in Cover each potato half in foil Stand them on a plate , with one in the centre, and arrange sprays of greenery around them Add fir cones and red ribbon bows It is traditional to have three purple candles for the first, second and fourth Sunday of Advent, a pink candle for the third Sunday and a white candle for Christmas Day

Counting down the days ….. ………. A few ideas

Advent Chain Print out the sheets and cut into strips. Assemble the chain using the strips as links. Remove one “link” for each day of Advent and complete the activity on the link. You can use different coloured paper for weekdays and Sundays

29 Nov

30 Nov

01 Dec

02 Dec

03 Dec

04 Dec

Light the first candle on your Advent wreath

Say a prayer for all those who are lonely

Offer to set the table for dinner

Ask permission to make popcorn or cup cakes for the family

Be nice to someone you don’t like very much

Offer to say grace at mealtime

05 Dec

06 Dec

07 Dec

08 Dec

Read about St Nicholas, whose feast day is tomorrow

Light the second candle on your Advent wreath

Say a prayer for all the people who are in hospital

Look at the night sky and see if you can recognise any star constellations

09 Dec

Make a Christmas card for someone

10 Dec

Send the Christmas card you made yesterday

11 Dec

Make an ornament for the Christmas tree from old cards

12 Dec

Hug everyone in your family today

13 Dec

Light the third candle on your Advent wreath

14 Dec

Say a prayer for all the world’s homeless people

15 Dec

16 Dec

17 Dec

18 Dec

Write “I love you” notes to members of your family and hide them under their pillows

Find a story about Christmas in another country

Offer to do the dusting

Practice singing Christmas carols

19 Dec

20 Dec

21 Dec

Clean your bedroom without being asked

Light the fourth candle on your Advent wreath

Say a prayer for all the world’s hungry people

22 Dec

Offer to help wrapping presents

23 Dec

Suggest making Christmas biscuits as a family

24 Dec

Read Luke 2:1-20 with your family and set up your crib scene

A simple Advent Calendar - just stick onto thin card, cut around the doors and stick on top of the picture page.

Starline to Advent …. In Western Christendom Advent Sunday, the first day of the Advent season, is the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day, 30 November. In the Eastern Church, Advent is a longer season beginning in the middle of November. Traditionally Advent, like Lent, was kept as a period of fasting and penance: the solemn character of the season in marked by the liturgical use of purple. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is also a season of getting ready and waiting for the coming of Christ’s kingdom. Maintaining the season as a time of penitence and spiritual “getting ready”, as well as rehearsing the nativity play, practising the carols and making the Christingles presents a dilemma for anyone working with children. One way to maintain some of the distinctive character of the Advent season is to take the symbol of the star and show it can help people “prepare for Christmas”. Stars have become a central prop in most respectable nativity plays. In the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth, the star appears only in Matthew when the Magi tell King Herod that they have seen a star in the East and have come to see the King of the Jews. That same star leads the Magi to the house where Jesus was. The star is both a celestial sign, a portent that something great has happened, and a guide. These activities explore star shapes as prayer pointers or guides.

A perfect eight-pointed star Fold a square of paper into quarters

and then into eighths

and then into sixteenths. Make a diagonal cut from right to left as shown

Open this out into a star.

You can vary the length of the points by the angle of the cut. Decorate the star with crayons and glitter

Christmas star gift box Cut the box out and fold along the dotted lines. Glue flap A inside the box, then fold down the B flaps. Punch a hole in the large star, thread a piece of ribbon through and tie the ribbon round the two star flaps, fastening the opening of the box

Star biscuits Most children enjoy the food preparations for Christmas. Simple biscuits can be made by a group and then given as gifts to friends and family. For 24 biscuits you will need 4oz margarine 6oz plain flour 1 egg 3oz sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground mixed spice Rolling pin and star cutters Rub the margarine into the flour mixed with the spices. Cream the egg with the sugar and stir into the flour mixture. Roll out the mixture and cut into star shapes. Bake at Gas mark 4/ 180C/350F on a greased baking tray for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool on the tray. Decorate as desired!

Folded star You will need two squares of stiff paper, glue, scissors Pleat both squares of paper like a fan. When they are folded into strips, cut points at the edges. Fold each one in half and glue the edges together.

Then glue both fans together.

Woven-straw star You will need drinking straws, tinsel ribbon, raffia or sparkly yarn Divide an even number of drinking straws into four groups and arrange them so that they overlap in the centre.

Weave round them with tinsel ribbon (or yarn) for a few turns.

Separate all the straws and weave under and over for a few more times. Finish off the weaving and bind the spokes together in pairs. Every other pair may be trimmed short.

Alternatively, instead of drinking straws, use lengths of cane or coloured pipe-cleaners

Cocktail stick star You will need card, cocktail sticks, a small cake case (or decoration), gold or silver spray, glue Cut two thin card circles, each approximately 3cm in diameter. Spread one card with plenty of glue and arrange the ends of 12 to 16 cocktail sticks evenly on it. Apply glue to the other circle and sandwich the ends between the two card circles. Stick the small cake case or decoration to the front card. Spray it with gold or silver paint.

Sewing stars You will need felt stars, a variety of threads, sequins, needles, glue The stars can be decorated with any kind of free stitching and sequins, then mounted on card or backed with a contrasting colour felt.

Woven-paper star You will need paper in two different colours and glue Cut four or five paper strips in each colour and the same width. Interweave one colour with the other, adding dabs of glue as necessary to keep the weaving in place. Trim the ends as illustrated

3-D Star

You will need paper, scissors, glue, colouring pens, decorations, a short length of string or yarn     

Cut out two copies of the star template and decorate them (or you could use two different coloured sheets of paper) Fold the tabs under both of the stars Crease the lines of the stars so that the arms of the star puff up Put glue on the flaps and stick the two stars together—each flap should be glued to the inside of the other star Glue a short loop of string or yarn to one arm of the star to hang it from

Star Templates

An altar frontal Make a board big enough to fit in front of your altar, either by cutting a pice of hardboard (or similar) to fit or make a frame from light wood and stretch light coloured fabric over this (an old sheet will do!) Paint the whole frontal dark blue. Children can paint shapes along the bottom in black paint to represent Bethlehem at night. A yellow window could be added to show where the stable is. Paint stars with yellow or gold paint; glitter could be used, too. Make one star larger than the others, and if the stable is obvious, position it in the sky over the stable. Angels can be painted or stuck around the edge of the sky

Advent Alphabet You might like to make an alphabet chart of symbols connected to the Advent season. Here are some ideas….. A Angel Gabriel B Bethlehem C Census D Donkey E Elizabeth F Flocks G God with us H Herod I Inn J Joseph K King of the Jews L Light M Mary N Night O Obey P Prophets Q Quest R Rushing S Shepherds T Treasure U Under a star V Visitors W Wise men’s gifts XYZ Baby in the manger the love that has no end

Crib pies

Mince pies with a difference!

Ingredients  340g of shortcrust pastry  1 jar of mincemeat  A little beaten egg or milk  Caster sugar for dusting What to do  Roll out the pastry and cut into rectangles about 12x8cm. Put half the rectangles to one side  Place a teaspoon of mincemeat in the middle of each of the rectangles  Brush a little milk or egg around the edges of each rectangle and use the remaining rectangles to make lids  Crimp the edges to seal into a “crib” shape  Cut circles from the pastry left-overs to make the baby’s head  Mark eyes and a mouth and tuck it beneath a pastry “blanket” on top of each crib  Bake at 220C for 20 minutes or until the pies look golden  Cool on a wire tray and dust with caster sugar

Songs to familiar tunes... Prophets’ song Tune: Twinkle, twinkle, little star Listen, listen to what I say, Someone special’s on the way. God says this to you and me, God says we must wait and see. Listen, listen to what I say, Someone special’s on the way! Advent is here Tune: Silent Night Advent is here, Christmas is near. Wait for One: God’s special Son. Light up the candle with hope in your heart. Pray for a world of hope and do your part. Jesus, bring us your peace. Jesus, bring us your peace. Candle one Tune: This old man Candle one, brings us hope. Jesus came to bring us hope. And the angel said that he came to be with us. Jesus light the way for us. Candle two, brings us peace. Jesus came to bring us peace…… Candle three, brings us joy….. Candle four, brings us love….

Song of the messengers Tune: Frere Jacques Follow me, follow me, Sings the star, sings the star. Jesus will be born soon, Jesus will be born soon, Hear my song, Hear my song. Hear the Good News, hear the Good News, Angels call, angels call. Jesus will show God’s love, Jesus will show God’s love, This I know, This I know. Peace is coming, peace is coming, Mary sings, Mary sings. Jesus is God’s Son, Jesus is God’s Son, He brings hope, He brings hope.

Children round the world are singing To the tune of Deck the Halls Children round the world are singing Fa la la la la, la la la la. Praises to the Lord they’re bringing Fa la la la la, la la la la. In the air of every nation, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. Are the sounds of celebration Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Baby Jesus will be born To the tune of Old MacDonald “Baby Jesus will be born,” Clap your hands with me. Mary heard the angel tell, Clap them joyfully. Clap your hands, one, two, three Clap your hands so joyfully. “Baby Jesus will be born,” Clap your hands with me. Joseph heard it in a dream, Clap your hands with me. God plans all things very well, Clap them joyfully. Clap your hands, one, two, three Clap your hands so joyfully. “Baby Jesus will be born,” Clap your hands with me.

Some prayer ideas... Stars Cut out enough stars for everyone to have one, or make some star templates and let every member of the group make their own star. Invite everyone to write a prayer on their star. These can be stuck on to a large piece of card as a “sky” background or punch a hole in the top of each star, attach a piece of ribbon and hang them up.

Christmas Stars Cut out enough stars for everyone to have one, or make some star templates and let every member of the group make their own star. Invite everyone to write one-line prayers thanking God for the gift of his own Son on that first Christmas. Decorate the edges of the prayer stars with glitter, then punch a hole in the top of each one and attach a piece of ribbon so that they can be hung on the Christmas tree.

An army of angels Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14 You will need dark backing paper, angel pictures, glue, pens, glitter, sticky stars Tell your group the story of how the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field one dark night (Luke 2:8-20). With a young group, you might like to use a version from a children’s Bible. Give everyone a copy of an angel picture and ask them to write their own short prayer on the angels’ robe thanking God for the gift of his Son at Christmas. Anyone who is unsure what to write might consider copying the angel’s words from Luke 2:14. Young children could colour in their angel picture in bright colours. Play some Christmas music while the group glues all the prayers onto the backing paper to like an army or a host of angels. As a finishing touch add a

More star ideas Cut out enough stars for everyone to have one, or make some star templates and let every member of the group make their own star. Ask younger children to write a simple five-word prayer on the points of the star  Larger stars could be used by older children to think of five “prayer pointers” throughout Advent or for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day  Some might like to write prayers on the stars and give them to members of the congregation as a present  Prayer stars from the whole group could be mounted on a wall behind a crib or nativity scene  A very large star cut-out could be mounted on a plain circular sheet of card. The “five points” could become the doors of a five week Advent calendar. The children could draw pictures behind each point or door as a focus for prayer. The doors can then be opened out on the appropriate day. 

A Youth Vigil The real meaning of Christmas The service outlined below takes a rather different approach from the Advent ones with a main theme of celebration of the joy of Christmas. In contrast, the service that follows is prophetic and penitential. In it, the coming of Jesus Christ as man into the world is seen in relation to a world full of violence, poverty, racism, hunger and indifference to the needs of fellow human beings. This celebration is particularly useful for a group of young people meeting in someone’s home. It is surprising how many people can get into quite small rooms! It could also take place in a youth club or hall. It would be all the more effective if those who are going to take part also help with the preparations. They can do so by choosing readings and music, making posters and other visual aids and preparing the simple food and drink. If some of the music is unfamiliar a small group can practice it beforehand so that they can lead the others. The songs suggested are only suggestions – anything suitable can be used. This sort of service could be used very effectively, for example, as an Advent celebration for an ecumenical discussion group, and is suitable for members of third world groups or for those concerned with social justice and with helping those in need. The role of reader can be taken in turn by those present or by one person.

Opening song Reader

All Reader All Reader

All Reader All Reader All Reader All Reader All Reader All Reader

Mary’s child Here is my servant whom I uphold My chosen one in whom my soul delights I have endowed him with my spirit That he may bring true justice to the nations. Faithfully he brings true justice He will neither waver, nor be crushed Until true justice is established on earth For the islands are awaiting his law.

Where can we find you Lord? When a star in the sky marked where the new King of the Jews had been born, wise men came to Jerusalem looking for him. Like these men we ask, Where can we find you Lord? They brought the child their most precious gifts and worshipped him. We have no treasure to offer you, Lord, nor any star to guide us. We can only bring our own efforts to try and do your will. Like the wise men we ask Where can we find you Lord? Will we find you with the rich eating a six-course meal in a luxury hotel, or among those organizing help for the rejected and starving of the third world? Like the wise men we ask Where can we find you Lord? Will we find you among the tinsel and holly, tying coloured twine round socks and scented soap, or will you be left deserted with the old and lonely on Christmas day? Like the wise men we ask Where can we find you Lord? You were in the world but they did not know you. You came unto your own and they did not receive you. Where can we find you Lord? There was no room for you at the inn. Is there any room for you in our hearts? Like the wise men we ask Where can we find you Lord? The word was made flesh and lived among us, but what has the world made of your message? Where can we find you Lord? One Christmas the folk singer Joan Baez was sent to prison for demonstrating against the Vietnam war. When reporters wanted to know how she liked going to prison for Christmas, she asked, “Is this not what Christmas is really about?” What did she mean? What do we think it is about?

Someone now reads from a newspaper an account of Christmas shopping or other commercial activity, followed by a poem such as “Feed

Lewis (How many children starving, did you say?.....)

my little ones” by C Day

Song Reader

Feed us now, O Son of God or similar At Bethlehem there was no room at the inn. In any of our large cities there are thousands of homeless families. It is a terrible thing that even in our affluent society in Britain we have thousands of families without proper homes, living in conditions of over crowding and squalor; in rooms overrun with rats or damp streaming down the walls. People living in conditions like this, however, are lucky compared to those families which have been broken up, through no fault of their own, because they can find nowhere to live together. Our hearts are touched by “Shelter” advertisements, we find a few pence for this or that housing aid society but are we doing enough? Are we loving our neighbour as ourselves when we tolerate families being broken up or living in such dreadful conditions? (Alternatively, something topical from a newspaper could be read) Reading

Matthew 25:31-46

Song

When I needed a neighbour

Reader

People celebrate Christmas, by over-eating and drinking too much; but John the Baptist did it by calling for penance and living on locusts and wild honey. Help us to see what Christmas means Will the voice crying in the wilderness be heard at the office parties and in the crowded department stores? Help us to see what Christmas means Parcels for pensioners on Christmas Eve, but did you really want goodwill to end on Boxing Day? Help us to see what Christmas means Is it the season of turkeys, presents and parties or is it the birthday of love? Help us to see what Christmas means If you come to the outcasts and sinners, did you not come also to the homeless? Help us to see what Christmas means If Christ is to be found in people are they not more important than outdated rules, laws, social systems and our own economic needs? Help us to see what Christmas means

All Reader All Reader All Reader All Reader All Reader All

Reader All Reader All Reader All

How near do we want you to be – two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, or in our suffering neighbour? Help us to see what Christmas means The word was made flesh, but was the skin only one colour? Help us to see what Christmas means Israel at least gave you a stable for your birth, but today parts of the world cannot provide this luxury for many of its children Help us to see what Christmas means

Share a simple meal of bread and cheese. As this is being done, the following may be read Half the world are hungry – heaven cries for justice Faster than sound we fly and even walk the moon’s face, Can we not feed the poor and end the need among us? Bread of life we break, “Do this for me,” said Jesus, “You must love each other just as I have loved you.” Let us think it through What can it really mean to share it with each other And fail to divide the food of the earth with our brother? During the meal there can be an informal discussion of the issues raised. Materials can be distributed outlining practical steps that can be taken (from Oxfam, Tear Fund, Christian Aid, the Children’s Society etc) . After the meal a collection may be taken for one of the charities. Song