Christian Formation: Advent Ideas

Christian Formation leaders share their Advent ideas - See below and check for additions as they come in.

Intergenerational Advent wreath workshop and prayer service – On the first Sunday of Advent all ages gather together to make Advent wreaths for their homes. Materials (metal wreath w/candle holders, candles, wire and evergreens) are provided. While people are making wreaths, I offer a couple of simple activities for younger children – decorating pre-baked sugar cookies with icing & sprinkles and making “bird feeders” with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. When wreaths are complete, a simple liturgy with Advent hymns, scripture and prayers is celebrated. At the end, the first candle is lit.

Advent Quiet Day – Set aside the busyness of December for a day of prayer and reflection, fellowship and conversation, silence and scripture reading. It is a time to be still and spend time with God.

A Christingle for Advent

The word Christingle means “Christ Light” and originated from the

Moravian

Church

custom of giving children lighted candles on Christmas Eve in a small church in

Marienborn

Germany

in 1747. The minister wanted a simple symbol to bring home the message of Christmas for the children. He gave them a lighted candle tied with a red ribbon while praying, “Dear Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these dear children’s hearts.” This custom was imported to

Britain

, where it continues to be practiced today.

You will need:

¨ A large orange – represents the world

¨ A small candle – as a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world

¨ A red ribbon – stands for forgiveness, a reminder of the blood shed by Jesus on the cross (red sticky tape or florist’s ribbon works best)

¨ Small piece of aluminum foil

¨ Four toothpicks with dried fruit & sweets such as raisins and gumdrops – represent the four seasons and all the good things god created for us

Assembly:

Take a small slice off the bottom of the orange so that it can stand securely without rolling.
Wrap the tape or ribbon around the middle of the orange.
Make two slits crosswise, with a knife, to the orange, or use an apple corer to make a slight hole.
Place a circle of silver foil over the hole made, to trap the hot candle wax.
Gently push the candle into the orange until it is secure.
Thread sweets, fruits and raisins onto the toothpicks, ensuring that the sharp point is covered and fix four completed sticks into the orange.

For photos of step-by-step instructions go to: http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-2/christingle.htm

Mary Lou Crifasi, Epiphany, Danville

We traditionally have soup after church on Sunday, either the one before Advent or the 1st Sunday of Advent) for anyone or any families who want to stay and make an Advent wreath. I buy the candles in mass on line, forms(Christmas light storage rings and oasis to stuff in the rings - cost per wreath is about $8 which the participants pay). Boxwood and blue cedar clippings are supplied (because I have an ample supply). It’s also fun to ask others to supply their clippings – holly, pine etc. Nancy Rawlings said they did this at the Fall ShrineMont and made them with fresh herbs! It’s a fun time. Some parents let their children make it totally on their own and that is fun to watch. Others want theirs just right! That’s great too! But it is a fun time of fellowship.

Claire Brill, Lay Assistant at Christ and Grace, Petersburg

This year for the four Sundays in Advent we have asked the youth group to share their time with parents, siblings and other parishioners. So on Sunday evenings from 6 to 8pm all are invited to unwind, reflect and relax as we “Unplug the Christmas Machine”. Each of the Sundays will begin with a simple soup supper, followed by an activity that focuses on giving of what we have rather than on what we can buy. For instance, on one of the Sundays after a meditation led by the youth, all will be given various types of paper, envelopes and writing/drawing implements and asked to write a letter to someone which will be given as a gift on Christmas Day. Each Sunday in Advent the youth will introduce with a meditation an activity that can be done by anyone of any age. The “giving” will progress from a family member or close friend, to church family, to community and finally to world. I’m loving this because it allows the youth to lead and be followed—very different than what the world’s perception is of the place of youth.

Ann S. Meyer, Director of Spiritual Formation, St. Martins, WIlliamsburg

At Galilee we have Advent Wreath Making and an Advent Lesson following the 9am service. This is during the Sunday School time. The church families gather in the Celebration Center to make the wreaths. Each family makes their wreath of greenery and symbolic candles, then they take it home with an Advent guide filled with suggested readings and activities for the purpose of preparing their homes for the coming of Christ at Christmas. There is a cost of $10 per family. They bring a bag of greens(boxwood, pine, holly, cedar) and cutting shears. We provide hot chocolate snacks and all the wreath making materials. We purchase the candles, wreath forms and oasis from Norfolk Wholesale Florist. A reservation form is printed in the service leaflet several Sundays before Advent and a registration deadline is 5 days before this event. This is a wonderful tradition at Galilee.
We also have a large Advent wreath in the main sanctuary and the priest asks families to participate in the service and light the Advent Wreath each Sunday in Advent.

Mary Sydney Barker ,Director of Children's Ministries, Galilee, Virginia Beach

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