Bringing Faith Home in Advent

'Tis the Season
Advent with its' sense of anticipation and Christmas with all its joy are seasons that naturally lend themselves to "teachable moments" for families. Below are a few ideas on ways that you might bring faith into your home this season. Don't try and do them all! Just pick one or two that you can integrate into your family's life that will enrich it and help you prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ.

• Use an Advent Wreath see the link below on how to make one and the prayers to say.  
• Ditch the Elf on the Shelf, and focus on preparing for the Child in the Manger.  Create little straws of  "hay" from paper and every time your child does a good deed through out advent let them add a piece of "hay" to the manger so that baby Jesus will have someplace cosy to be welcomed to on Christmas.
• Sing and listen to your favorite Chrismas Carols. 
• Play Christkindl (aka Secret Santa) have each family member (parents too!) choose someone whom they will do an act of kindness for each day during advent and then have them hand make a small gift for that person to be opened on Christmas day.
• Celebrate the Feasts of the season, St. Nicholas who is the patron Saint of Children on December 6th, Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th and St. Lucy on December 13th. Check out the links below for ideas.  
• Make Christmas Cards for our homebound parishioners drop them off at the rectory by December 15th and we will make sure they are delivered on time. 
• Bring a plate of the Christmas cookies you are making to a neighbor.  
• Read a faith centered Christmas story before bed. During Advent I recommend the Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider which is suitable for young children. For older children ( grade 4 and up) there is the Advent Adventure book series by  Arnold Ytreeide which has daily readings that tell the unfolding story of a child from the time of Christ who has an encounter with those who were at His birth. If Advent seems too crazy for bedtime reading try reading a religious Christmas story for each of the days between Christmas and Epiphany ( January 8th).  
• If there are special foods or traditions in your family ask the elders in your family where they come from and if they have any spiritual significance.
• Try making a Jesse tree. It is a great way to learn about Jesus' ancestors from the old testament. Your family can join us on December 5th in the church hall to get materials and begin making a set. 
• Looking for someting more reflective O'Antiphons during the last week of Advent.
• Take a few moments during the Christmas season to bring your child to the Manger at which ever church you attend and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus who came into the world so long ago.