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- Introduction
- Before Advent
- First Sunday of Advent
- Second Sunday of Advent
- Third Sunday of Advent
- Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Christmas Eve
- Epiphany
HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITIES
Introduction
The following activities are designed for individual, family and other intergenerational groups for the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The activities follow the themes of the Household Services. You can do them all or ones that are appropriate for you. You may wish to vary the activities to meet individual needs or the needs of your particular 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 nine inches in diameter) and fill it with sand or coarse salt. Place the four purple candles around the edge of the bowl and place 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
When Hurt and Hope Embrace
1. Think about or discuss ways our society or your community has silenced or ignored the voices of hurting people. How can we as individuals and as a community give speech to hurting people?
2. Look through magazines or newspapers to find articles that tell of people whose hopes have been realized. Can you find any articles on those whose hopes have yet to be realized? .Choose one article and read it aloud to those in your group.
3. Read the story "Christmas Without Santa" to older children or to yourself.
Discuss ways that our Santa Claus traditions might hurt others. How can we
change this? Encourage children to draw a picture of Saint Nicholas. Discuss
with them how Saint Nicholas and Santa are similar and how they are
different.
For the Second Week of Advent
Confession and Conversion
1. Examine greed in your personal life. How does your greed impact relationships, creation, nations, economic systems? Does greed show itself especially at Christmas time? How can we change this?
2. Find a friend or family member who will listen. Share with him/her your concerns, your confession and your commitment to act differently.
3. Encourage children to do the word game on page 18 of this booklet.
For the Third Week of Advent
Saying Yes and Saying No
1. Think about or discuss how gift giving and the way we celebrate Christmas demonstrates both a yes and a no.
2. Read the story "Jason's Birthday" that appears on the back cover. What is Jason saying 14 no" to? Find similarities between Jason's birthday and that of Jesus. Encourage children to make a birthday card for Jesus instead of sending a Christmas greeting to Santa.
3. Go through your church's worship liturgies or scan Advent/Christmas songs to see how and where "glory" is used. Choose one of the songs that uses the word "glory" and sing it together or to yourself.
For the Fourth Week of Advent
The Impossible is Possible
1. Read the lectionary texts for this week. What is the alternative way proposed by the text? What does God say is possible that seems impossible?
2. Make a list of characteristics generally associated with "mother." Circle the ones that you also associate with God. Think about how God is both father and mother to us.
3. Put yourself in Mary's shoes. Consider how you might respond to the angel's announcement. Think about or discuss how Mary's example can help you follow Jesus today.
For Christmas Eve
Rejection and Acceptance
1. Read the lectionary passages for this week. Think about how you have prepared in these last few weeks to celebrate the birth of Christ. Does your preparation show a rejection or an acceptance of Jesus?
2. Read the paragraph on The Cosmos in George Johnson's reflections for Christmas Eve. Spend some quiet time remembering all that is cosmic about Christ's coming.
3. Encourage children to do the picture game on page 18 of this booklet.
For the First Week After Christmas
Living in Expectation
1. Read the New Testament lectionary text for this week. Think about Simeon's proclamation that Jesus was "appointed for the rise and fall of many." How has Jesus' coming this Christmas been a "rise and fall of many"? Who has risen? Who has fallen?
2. Read the paragraph on Subversive Acts in George Johnson's reflections. Make a list of the characteristics or acts that made the people in control consider Jesus to be subversive. In following Jesus, is your life also subversive? Make a list of your own characteristics or acts that would make some consider you subversive.
3. As a group, discuss the ways in which you celebrated the birth of Christ. What things did you change? What things stayed the same? Was Christmas spiritually fulfilling? How could your celebration of Christmas be considered It subversive" by our consumer culture?
For Epiphany
Becoming the Star
1. Discuss what it means to become the star. How is your life like the light that led the wise men to Jesus? Does your life lead others to Jesus?
2. Invite each participant to make a star out of cardboard or construction paper. Write down on the star something you will do this year to become a star that shows Jesus' love to others. Next, cut out a cloud. Write down something that hides Jesus' love that you will discontinue doing.
3. Pray that God would continue to work in your life, enabling you to be a star to others.
Many More Interesting Christmas Articles
Page updated 22 October 2012
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