As I prepared this, I was tired, jet lagged, and sick. More and more wonderful stuff kept coming in from my “sources” on the great ways to practice Faith Formation with the family for Advent. Or options to use for Intergen services. Overwhelmed did not come close to explaining how I was feeling.
So, I threw my hands up and went. Enough. Maybe I was only meant to pursue this blog approach to sharing the faith for 12 months. Then it occurred to me. If I was feeling bombarded how were the families feeling.
Now, for those of you reading who live outside of Australia, you need to know that December is the busiest month for families. It is the end of the school year. Our weather helps by providing us with longer, warmer days, so that lets us pack in way more in a day then is good for anyone. That is unless you are affected by our natural disasters such as Bushfires and Cyclones. In which case trauma, becomes a whole different topic. But usually, this is the season for end of concerts- school, ballet, music classes, work, and then there is the get to gather’s, usually around the BBQ in the extending daylight. This may be the time of the year when grandparents are called on the most. Adult children, need extra babysitting services for their offspring (your beloved grandchildren) as they try to stay social and fit in all the work commitments. Grandparents are required at ALL the end of Concerts/events. Many Grandparents are still working themselves and may very well have parents of their own that need extra care at this time of the year.
Overwhelming does not even cut it. Exhaustion in big servings, is the order of the day.
So how can we honour the season of Advent in our lives and our homes, and influence all the generations we have around us? KISS, yes Keep It Simple S (ok you know the rest). And a few extra kisses won’t go astray either!
Meditate
In the midst of the chaos, a moment to reflect, is a positive strategy for you and sets a good example for those around you.
Mine is simple, by sharing it I hope you will find something in your everyday that keeps you focused on the reason for the season.
I have a Magnolia plant that blossoms during Advent, The buds remind me of candles in their shape, and like a flame when the flower opens it spreads out exiting perfume and visual delight. Then like a candle it dies, turns brown, leaving like a candle the essence of what had been and what is to come. I love watching the plant bud, bloom and die, and it reminds me of Christ’s impact on the earth, our own short trajectory, and the continuity of God though history and our lives, from birth to death. This simple visual meditation, opens me up to listening for God.
In a previous home we had two beautiful Christmas Wattles that bloom red flower crowns during Advent. The colour reminded me of Pentecost and that we celebrate God bursting into this world in human form for us.
If you like to colour in, you might like A sanctified Arts Advent book, http://sanctifiedart.org/draw-near-advent-devotional/
I settle down when everyone has gone to sleep, make a cuppa, I like lavender and chamomile at the moment, and just spend a quiet few minutes this way.
But you might prefer the very quick, 3 minute in fact, 3 minute retreat by Sacred Spaces, you can down load the app on your phone https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer?utm_source=sacredspace&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=3mr-module&utm_campaign=3mr
Decorating for Advent
How do you send a firm signal that this is a home celebrating Christian Advent and Christmas not just commercial Christmas?
Think about the way you decorate,
what are really simple ways to make a small statement
Our stocking say Hope, Peace, Love and Joy
Keep an Advent candle circle in a prominent place. I add a candle each week as we count down. Those family members who only visit a church with you on Christmas day will have been trained by you to understand what this means.
OR have a cake at the end of each weekly family dinner, with a purple candle on it for each week of the advent calendar. So start with 1 purple(or blue) candle, then 2 purple (or blue) candles 2 purple and 1 pink- week 3, then 3 purple 1 week. (many years ago I read of this idea but I can’t find the reference)
Use purple and white in your Christmas Tree decorations and choose decorations that can help you tell a faith story to your grandchildren. Better still get them to help you make them.
REMEMBER the object is to share the faith story, these are just prompts for others to ask, or for you to tell about your faith.
Advent Calendar
Make this beautiful version, better still get the children to help you make it https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/56545040/posts/3463
or use the ideas’ here https://prayingincolor.com/2018
Sing/Music
Fill the house with meaningful Christmas music, Choose a Christmas radio station, or use Spotify Try Christian Children’s Kids songs
Or my favourite https://matthewwest.essentialfan.com/products/heart-of-christmas-cd
Choose a style of music that suits you or your family members. from traditional to Colin Buchanan https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/jingle-jingle-jesus-mp3-album-and-individual-songs or
Seeds that have a strong Biblical base https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-christmas-ep/
Create a family band.
Family Reflection options
You can grab one of the many family reflection options such as https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-family-resources/products/an-illustrated-advent-for-families
or http://www.ctmresourcing.org.au/2018-intergenerational-advent-resource
Great for sharing with grandchildren through the Advent season as they come and go https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-guide/?fbclid=IwAR0BadoUNx8EWZzLL5HauW7IEFm0Lt-3hkbOeAFHh0712Y18V1wcsvGLCQQ
Keep it Simple
Show your family how easy it is to fit Advent into the busiest time of the year.
That faith enhances, not weigh’s us down.
Hopefully they may find that faith is what has been missing from their lives.
Lead the way.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 