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Household Services and Activities
HOUSEHOLD SERVICES
Introduction
The following services are designed for weekly or daily use in the household by individuals, families or other intergenerational groups.
You may want to read sections of Sr. Joan's reflections aloud during the Household Services when you read the Biblical texts. Also on some days during the week, you may want to substitute one or more of the additional passages listed at the end of each service. No additional readings have been suggested for Christmas Eve or Epiphany.
For the First Sunday in Advent
STAYING AWAKE
QUESTION: What are we doing?
RESPONSE: We are getting ready for Christmas. Advent is a time to get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time to be wide awake, watching for the new things God is doing in the world. We have made this Advent wreath to remind us to stay alert. Today we light the first Advent candle. (Light the candle.)
Q: How can we get ready?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44)*
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can decide that we will not let the glitter and bustle of the season distract us from seeing how God wants to come into our lives.
Let us pray: You are the God who calls us to stay awake lest we miss your coming. Give us discipline to watch, wait and prepare for your coming. Give us courage to risk ridicule because it is your coming for which we wait.
*Additional readings: Isaiah 43:14-21; Psalm 95; Ephesians 5:1-20.
For the Second Sunday in Advent
REALIZING WHAT MATTERS
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready for Christmas. Advent is the time for realizing what really matters. What really matters is preparing the way for the coming of Christ into our world with its war, greed and self-centeredness. Today we relight the first Advent candle, and we light one candle more. (Light two candles.)
Q: How can we get ready
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3: 1-12)*
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can prepare the way for the coming of Christ? not by conspicuous consumption, but by the hard work of doing justice and making peace.
Let us pray: We wait for your coming, O Christ. Stay by us in this time of preparation, that we may be energized to work for the world that you bring.
*Additional readings: Psalm 72; Exodus 32:1-24; James 5: 1-6; Matthew 25:31-46
For the Third Sunday in Advent
REACHING OUT
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready for Christmas. Advent is the time to ask, "Who is this One coming?" and, "What signs mark His coming?" Advent is the time to reach beyond easy answers. Today we relight the first two Advent candles, and we light one candle more. (Light three candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 35:1-6 and Matthew 11:2-11)*
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can see that the signs of the Messiah's coming are not full Christmas stockings, but hungry people being fed, the homeless being housed, and the oppressed relieved.
Let us pray: O coming one, we are anxious about your coming because we are not yet ready. Transform our preoccupation with comfort into compassion for those who suffer, that Christmas may truly come.
*Additional readings: Psalm 146, Isaiah 61, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
For the Fourth Sunday in Advent
RECEIVING GOD'S PROMISE
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready for Christmas. Advent is the time to remember God's promises. Advent reminds us that real security and the purpose of life are found in God's promises. Today we light the first three Advent candles, and we light one candle more. (Light four candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 7:10-17 and Matthew 1:18-25)*
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can resist the temptation to live - and celebrate Christmas - as if our influence, our connections and our own possessions make God's promises unnecessary.
Let us pray: O God of Ahaz, Mary, Joseph and us all, we thank you for your life-giving promises. Open us to trust your promises, even when they make us uneasy.
*Additional readings: Ezekiel 37:1 14; Psalm 24; Luke 2:39 56; Revelation 21:1-4
For Christmas Eve
GAINING WISDOM
Q; What are we doing?
R: We are getting ready for Christmas. The waiting is almost over. This is the night when the Messiah comes. For those wise enough to see it, Christmas Eve is the night of good news and great joy. Tonight we relight the four Advent candles, and we light one candle more: the Christ candle. (Light all of the candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-21)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can pray for the wisdom to find Christ this Christmas. Then, like the shepherds we can "make haste" to see what God has done. And, like the angels we can sing praises to God.
Let us pray: Holy God enthroned in splendor, give us wisdom to allow our lives to be interrupted by your coming. Permit us to be so dazzled by your glory that our lives will be forever changed.
For the First Sunday after Christmas;
BEGINNING AGAIN
Q: What are we doing?
R: We continue to celebrate Christmas. The Messiah has come. A new year approaches. Life has new possibilities, and faith teaches new duties. Today we relight the four Advent Candles and the Christ candle to remind us that Christ's coming makes possible new beginnings. (Light all of the candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 63:7-9 and Matthew 2:13-15)*
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can decide to make new beginnings everyday and to resist the comfort of the status quo. We can reach out in compassion to those who - like the holy family in Egypt - are refugees in our midst.
Let us pray: O God whose anger and despair at unfaithfulness are tempered by steadfast love, let our rising each morning be to fresh beginnings in faithfulness. Free us from the shame of taking your love for granted.
*Additional readings: Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Colossians 3:12-17
For Epiphany
FOLLOWING THE STAR
Q: What are we doing?
R: We are celebrating "Epiphany." The magi's long journey following the star ended when they offered gifts to the Christ child. At Epiphany we celebrate the "manifestation" of God's good news to all the worlds people, those from both near and far. Today, for the last time this Christmas season, we relight the four Advent candles and the Christ candle. (Light all of the candles.)
Q: What can we do?
R: We can listen. (Read Isaiah 6:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12)
Q: What else can we do?
R: We can give thanks for those who through the ages have followed the star to Bethlehem and so made that journey a possibility for us. In an age of cynicism, we can decide that we will not give up following the star.
Let us pray: O God of Bethlehem's star, let us not be among the Herods who seek the Child to thwart your will, but among the shepherds and magi who follow the star to offer obedience to the new King.
HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITIES
Introduction
The following are activities designed for individual, family and other intergenerational use as you observe the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The activities follow the themes of the Bible studies and the Household services. Do them all, or ones that are appropriate for you. Some are designed to include children, others are not. You may wish to vary the activities to meet individual needs or those of your group.
Before the First Week of Advent
MAKING AN ADVENT WREATH
The tradition of using an Advent wreath and candles to set apart the Sundays of this season comes from early in the history of the church. Traditionally, it is a holly and evergreen garland, holding four small candles and one large central candle. The four small candles are usually purple, the color of Advent that reminds us of repentance and preparation. The large candle is either red or white to symbolize Christ. The evergreen branches placed around the candles remind us of God's unending love.
The wreath can be constructed in any number of ways with a variety of materials One way that avoids the use of Styrofoam is as follows: Take a large flat shallow bowl (at least 9 inches in diameter) and fill it with sand or coarse salt. Place the four purple candles around the outside with the large candle in the center. Stick them down into the sand or salt so that they are placed securely. Make a circle of evergreens and place them around the bowl. Place the wreath and candles in a prominent place where they can stay throughout the season.
For the First Week of Advent
STAYING AWAKE
1. Look at the local news reports (newspaper or television) to see if you can discover where God is doing new things in the world.
2. Talk with family members or friends about what it means to be awake. How often are we awake without being "awake" to God's presence and activity? What do we need to do this Advent season to wake up to that reality?
3. Take time each day (10 minutes or so) to wait for the Lord. How do we prepare ourselves to wait? What do we do while we wait? Give some examples of ways to wait.
For the Second Week of Advent
WHAT MATTERS
1. Talk about what really matters to you in your life. Does God matter the most? Your family and friends? Your position and status in life? Your possessions? Your money?
2. What really matters in your Christmas celebration? Consider whether you are helping God to prepare for the coming of Christ into the world this year. What might you do differently this year?
3. Get the whole household together - or friends and relatives with whom you usually exchange gifts - for a discussion of the Guidelines for Giving. Fill out the Christmas Cost Analysis form. Discuss taking an amount equal to 25% of last year's total and spending it for a birthday present for Jesus. Make a covenant on what is decided. You may want to consider writing a letter to other family and friends inviting them to join you in this covenant.
For the Third Week of Advent
REACHING OUT
1. Using newspapers, magazines, or other news articles, collect examples of ways that persons in your community are feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and caring for others. Sort through these examples. Take out the ones that appeal to you. Think of ways that you can support the work that is being done in these examples. Next, take out the ones which offend you. Why are you offended? Then, look at both stacks, the ones which are appealing and the ones which are offensive. How is God's activity found in each example?
2. Making Paper Cranes: In 1955 a thirteen year old Japanese girl died of
"the atom bomb disease" - radiation-induced leukemia. She was one of the
many people to suffer the after-effects of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima
in 1945.
During her illness, Sadako buoyed her spirits by folding paper cranes. In
Japan, the old myths say that cranes live for a thousand years, and that
the person who folds a thousand paper cranes will have a wish granted. With
each paper crane, Sadako wished that she would recover from the fatal disease.
She folded 644 cranes before she died.
In honor of her memory, Sadako's classmates folded 356 more cranes so that
she could be buried with a thousand paper cranes. Friends collected money
from children all over Japan to erect a monument to Sadako in Hiroshima's
Peace Park, The inscription reads:
This is our cry,
This is our prayer,
Peace in the world.
Each year people place paper cranes at the base of the statue to recall the tragedy of war and to celebrate humanity's undying hope for peace. By folding paper cranes to use as Christmas decorations, we show our hope and willingness to labor for the desire of all children to live in a world without war.
For the Fourth Week of Advent
GOD'S PROMISES
1. Look at the scripture passages for the week, as well as the additional passages suggested. What promises has God made to the world? Do any of these promises make you uncomfortable? Why? How can you receive these promises'
2. Close your eyes and think about yourself at various ages. What were God's promises to you at those ages? When were you most receptive to hearing God's promises? What do you hear God promising you today?
3. If you know a child well, talk with that child about the birth of Jesus. Talk about what that birth means to the child and to you. What do conversations like this one teach you about the promises of God?
For Christmas Eve
GAINING WISDOM
1. Listen carefully for signs that Jesus is born tonight. What are those signs? Make a list and share it with another person.
2. Find your favorite Christmas hymn. Sing the hymn or read the words aloud. Pay attention to the messages in the words. How do those words reveal the birth of Christ? How do you feel as you hear those words?
3. Turn off your radio, television, or other video or musical equipment. Listen to the voice of quietness around you. In the silence you may discover the voice of God speaking to you about the birth of Christ. What is that voice telling you? How will you respond?
For the First Week After Christmas
BEGINNING AGAIN
1. Christmas was a few days ago. Think about how your life has been different since that time. What have you done differently? What might you do in response to that birth in the next few days?
2. Who are the refugees in your town or city? Your state? Our nation? What is your role in caring for them? What is the role of your church? What will you do?
For Epiphany
FOLLOWING THE STAR
1. What gifts do you bring to the Christ child? Think of gifts that are appropriate. For help you may want to look back at some of the work you have done earlier during Advent and following Christmas.
2. Consider how Jesus is the light of the world. Think about where that light shines... in the places of poverty and wealth, of brokenness and wholeness, of pain and health, and of light and dark. If children are present, help them to construct a star. Use any type of materials. As you make it, discuss ways that you can help to shine the light of the kingdom in those places.
3. Read again the passage from Matthew 2:1-12. Feel the joy that was present with the wise men as they followed the star to see Jesus. Talk about ways in which you can feel the same sense of joy as you approach the manger to see the newborn King. Discuss ways that you can continue to experience a sense of joy as the days move you away from the manger to the cross and the empty tomb of Easter.
--Karen Greenwaldt (activities)
--staff (services)
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