St. Nicholas Day - December 6
Advent Web Activities
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An Advent Calendar from Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
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An Advent Calendar from the Diocese of Washington (DC)
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An Advent Calendar from Trinity Wall Street
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An Advent Calendar from the Diocese of West Texas (2008, but still nice)
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Pray as you Go: a downloadable podcast
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D365: pause, listen, think, pray, go
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Episcopal Life's 2009 resources
Calendars
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Candlepress (inexpensive and easy to understand booklets and activities for children and families):
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The Printery House (advent calendars and other cards and booklets)
Wreaths
Evergreens
Advent Wreaths
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Using Symbolism in Your Advent Wreath
Candles
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Resources for purchasing advent candles
Jesse Tree
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Family Devotions from the RCA
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The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean & Bee Willey
Gift Giving
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The Episcopal Relief and Development Alternative Gift Market
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Alternative Gift International
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Alternatives for Simple Living
Worship in Parishes
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Evening Prayer for Advent with Prayers for an End to Global Poverty (with the Millennium Development Goals)
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Theological Reflection on the Millennium Development Goals for the Season of Advent:
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An Advent Bidding Prayer for an End to Global Poverty and Instability
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Prayers of the People (Intercessions) developed to correspond with the calendar year and lectionary
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A Liturgy from the Episcopal Peace Fellowship
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Christimas & Advent Coloring pages for children
Education in Parishes
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Lesson Plans that work follows the revised common lectionary and has plans for intergenerational classes, younger children, older children and adults
Personal Reflection & Meditation
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Songs in Waiting: Spiritual Reflections on Christ's Birth
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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus: Advent and Christmas meditations to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley
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An Advent Reflection guide for young adults
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Pray as you Go: a downloadable podcast
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D365: pause, listen, think, pray, go
Activities for Home
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Candlepress (booklets & activities):
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Creative communications (booklets & activities):
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Forward Movement (for adults & children)
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Christimas & Advent Coloring pages for children
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Ideas from "Christian Parenting Magazine"
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Resources from the Diocese of Connecticut
Additional Resources
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Anglican Online (resource links)
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Episcopal Church - many, many resources for children and families
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Theological Education for All - resources for use in the home and church
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Ideas from the Catholic Educators network
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Resources from a Canadian Worship website
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Resources sent from Church Publishing
Approaching Christmas
The Season of Advent is upon us and our time of preparation and waiting has begun. Although popular culture starts “Christmas” much earlier, the Christmas season of the western Church actually begins Christmas Eve and lasts until the festival of Epiphany on January 6. Through the “twelve days of Christmas,” we celebrate the gift of love which comes to us in Jesus of Nazareth.Encourage your parish members to set up a nativity scene in their home. Add figures slowly, one per day until the Christ child is the last to be added into the manger. Our homes can become a “new Bethlehem,” a place we can welcome Emmanuel, God is with us. It is also fun to have the Magi travel around the house, arriving at Bethlehem on Epiphany. Use your creche to help you journey to Bethlehem this year! (From the Diocese of Connecticut - .pdf)
Lighting a candle is a prayer:
When we have gone, it stays alight,
kindling in the hearts and minds
of others the prayers we have
already offered for them
and for others, for the sad,
the sick, and the suffering -
and prayers of thankfulness too.
Lighting a candle is a parable:
burning itself out,
it gives light to others.
Christ gave himself for others.
He calls us to give ourselves.
Lighting a candle is a symbol:
of love and hope,
of light and warmth.
Our world needs them all.
Prayer used in Salisbury Cathedral
The Evergreen
Evergreens were originally a symbol of everlasting life. In Europe, they were a focus of ancient winter celebrations and were gradually give Christian significance. The custom of decorating evergreen trees comes from Germany, where mention of an evergreen adorned in a parlor dates back to 1605. Legends say Martin Luther was inspired by starlight on evergreens beneath the night sky and St. Boniface (8th C English monk) was the first to decorate a pine tree. The custom of decorating Christmas trees came to North America in the late 1700s.
Then let the trees of the forest sing
before the coming of the Lord,
who comes to judge the nations,
to set the earth aright,
restoring the world to order.
Psalm 96:12-13
Blessing of the Tree
God of Adam and Eve,
God of all our ancestors,
we praise you for this tree
It stirs a memory of paradise,
and brings a foretaste of heaven.
Send your Child,
the flower of the root of Jesse,
to restore your good earth
to the freshness of creation.
Then every tree of the forest
will clap its hands,
and all creation will bless you
from these shining branches.
All glory be yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
