FIRST THINGS FIRST

My aim is to develop the expectation in my [toddler] kids for Christmas and the coming of the Baby Jesus.   I really want to lay foundations of meaning around Christmas that they won’t learn about in shopping centres.  I would also like to make the Silly Season less silly and more sane by planning 'together time'.

The faith component of Christmas is important to us.  Make your own adjustments if you are of a different spiritual ilk.  While searching around for things to do I came across lots of sites authored by people of different spiritual heritages and I’ve found their perspective helpful already.  So I’m going to branch out and give myself a bit of Catholic tuition over the next month or two.

Take a photo a day when you are having your Advent Events.  Day 24 can be to make a scrapbook of the season for keeps.  Have a look at this great one but don’t let it intimidate you – even a $2 flip album is good enough.  The kids will love to look at themselves in photos for the next year.

A fantastically over-the-top Advent scrapbook from 2010 to admire

Advent Scrapbook as it unfolds for Ali Edwards this year.

It’s easy to combine two days in one like Day 5, Christmas Decorations with Day 20, Decorate Kids’ Room.   All the activities are labelled Make, Do or Cook (see notation in the footer of each days post).  This just means you can combine like activities such as the Family Picnic with the Christmas Light Drive – both tagged “Do”.  Heck, why not add a “Cook” activity in there too?!

Almost none of this site is my original thought.  It’s all just links to things I plan to do with my kids (4, 2.5 and a few months).  It’s high on activity and low on detail.  Tweak it for your own kiddies and let everyone know in the comment section when you find any online gems….I’ll update this site next year.  Of course, some sites are just downright kooky (like this, just to prove my point ) but the content is worth a look.

Think ahead!  It is probably worth flicking through a few of the crafts to ensure you have what you need for the task.  Your Useful Box may already have everything you need to do most of these craft projects.  Any other supplies are easily found at somewhere like Crazy Clarks or Red Dot.  Write a list and shop once.

Please leave comments on each post if you find something great online, have new and better suggestions or need me to edit some info.  I'll plan to update it every year with new content.

If you are interested in making a Gingerbread House sometime in December try these guys.  I know IKEA do an $8 jobbie too.

I trust you have a little fun and allow the meanings embedded in this season seep out into your life and transform you and your children. 

WHAT IS ADVENT?

What is Advent?

Advent is a time of spiritual preparation. Using an Advent [Calendar] gives children and families a visible symbol of "waiting for Christmas."

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.  (The structure of this blog is for the first 24 days of December.)   It is the time of year that Christian parents prepare for the rigors of teaching their children the true meaning of Christmas. All this amid the deluge of commercial and promotions that would tell the kids that Christmas simply means getting presents! But rather than fighting the child’s natural excitement for Christmas morning, parents can channel it into a deeper understanding of the holiday.

Advent is designed to encourage participants to reflect on the experience of Christ being born into one’s life. This does not mean that the individual, family or community is pretending that Jesus has not been born yet or that Christ is not present already but, instead, provides a time for religious individuals to discover ways to experience the relationship with Jesus more deeply.

Words used to describe the Advent season are “waiting,” “expectation,” “hope,” and “longing.” These words describe the feelings of people who are in relationship with one another and, most decidedly, describe children’s experience in the weeks before Christmas!

Read more at Suite101: Advent Wreath with Children: Take Advantage of the Anticipation of Christmas | Suite101.com

Day 1, THE TREE

[Saturday]

The Christmas tree is the most iconic Christmas symbol.  Enjoy sourcing a tree (from a plantation or the top cupboard) and the chaos of tangled decorations and inquisitive fingers on delicate baubles!

The symbolism of the tree might be helpful when putting it up with your kids.

One of the more kooky (but harmless) little stories I came across

Day 2, ADVENT ACTION CARDS

[Sunday]

This mum has a great list of things to do during Advent to direct our focus to other people. These Action Cards can be popped into the Advent Calendar.

This is also a good activity to do when Dad is at home so the family can make decisions together as to how they will show kindness this Advent. These acts of charity and kindness can be mentioned during prayer times. Kids will begin to understand that all good works help bring the light of Christ in to the world.

Each Sunday in advent, a candle is lit on the wreath, scripture can be read and a prayer is recited. The candle lighting is progressive so by the fourth Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit. As more candles are lit each week, the wreath becomes a sign to the children that Jesus, the Light of the World, is coming soon. As one gets closer to the birth of Christ, the light gets brighter!

Prayers can be simple and spoken from the heart or can be intentionally written for each week. Suggested scriptures below can be looked up onlineand printed or read from a Bible. Other scriptures may be used as well. The Sunday Bible readings in this blog are the traditional suggestions ...

Sunday Bible Reading - Psalm 147:3-6

³ He heals the broken hearted
and bandages their wounds.
⁴ He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
⁵ How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
⁶ The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

Sunday Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank you that you were born to show us how much God loves us. Help us show your love to others. Help those people that are sad and broken hearted to know you understand difficult problems and you are with them.

Reflection: Recount some of the acts of kindness you chose to participate in from the Advent Action Cards. Remember these actions and people in your prayers and talk to the kids about how they feel about the activity. Talk through the feelings of gratitude for everything we have and everything we have to give.


Perth Activities
Festive Flicks at the Northbridge Piazza - Elf (G) screening at 12pm and The Grinch (PG) at 4pm.

Cappuccino Concert at State Libary of WA.  Free event at The Place (Kids space on the Mezzanine level) at 10:30am.
 

Day 3, ADVENT WREATH

[Monday]

What is an Advent Wreath?

The Advent wreath is in the shape of a circle, representing eternity. It is made from greens that are beautiful and lush as a sign of life. Some wreaths are woven with holly or other plants with sharp branches or thorns. These, combined with the beauty of the greens, are a sign of the experience of real life – a mixture of sorrow and joy. The wreath has four candles. Three candles are purple, a sign of royalty, and one is pink, signifying joy. The pink candle is lit on the third week of Advent. The candles can be long tapers or votives in glass holders for a more fire-safe wreath.

There are no "religious rules" on what your wreath must look like. A family can create a wreath with whatever materials are available and in whatever fashion gives meaning. When children participate in the creating the wreath, the value is on the task of working together, not the perfect final product.

The Advent Wreath is full of symbols of the Catholic faith.

• The wreath shape – the circular wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God and the everlasting life found in Christ.
• Evergreens – The greenery of the Advent wreath symbolizes continuous life.
• Candles – The four candles represent the weeks of Advent. The three purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance and good works done during Advent. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent and stands for rejoicing, hope and expectation.

People light candles for Advent because Christ is the light of the world.

A white candle in the centre of some Advent wreaths represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve.

Text extracted from (http://ginny-temple.suite101.com/advent-wreath-with-children-a147565)

Wreath Craft for Kids using sticks and cuttings from the garden

Wreath Craft with emphasis on the 'craft'!

Make Traditional Wreath Candles 

Day 4, ADVENT CALENDAR

[Tuesday]

There are a bizillion ideas for great Advent Calendars so there are a few posted below. I think the main idea is to foster that expectation. The calendar itself can be as simple as a row of red numbered disposable cups lined up on top of the kitchen cupboards. Or 24 large envelopes with a decoration of beautiful Christmas paper.

I also like the ideas of Day 4 to put inside each day. Some sites suggest putting a piece or two of Lego in each day rather that it just be about chocolate or lollies. (That’s just for mumma’s daily treat.) I think we’ll just be mixing it up with Advent Action Cards, small treats from a ‘two dollar’shop (like twisted drinking straws, mini bouncy balls, stickers and badges) and small amounts of sugar.

Paper Cup calendar

Toilet roll calendar !

Pill box calendar

Littlebox calendar

Martha Stewart gives a few suggestions here

Matchbox calendar

Ideas for a lolly-free calendar

Book Depository also sell the more traditional advent calendars - cheap and nice.

Day 5, CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

[Wednesday]

There is no end to what you can do with this one.  Knock yourself out with the few below or google your own.  More suggestions in the Comments box would be welcomed.

Paper bag Reindeer

Paper Baubles

Simple Christmas tree for decoration

Christmas pin wheel

And don’t be forgetting the good ol’ paper chains made out of Christmas wrapping paper. 

Red and Green are the traditional colours of Christmas. 

Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Jesus.

Red symbolised the blood that Jesus shed at His Crucifixion        .

Excerpt from http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/decorations.html

Day 6, CHRISTMAS MUSIC

[Thursday]

Search around for some music you like to listen to that helps you consider meaningful things at Christmas.  Download and dance on the outside or the inside!

Of course there is all the traditionally carols which can be bought anywhere including a Salvation Army fundraiser CD in Myer.

My kids will be listening to “A Very Veggie Christmas - Veggie Tales” available at Koorong (434 Lord St, Mt Lawley for under $5) and Mummy will be listening to the musical ‘Christmas’ by Michael W. Smith from iTunes.

Also King of Christmas by Colin Buchanan is a recommended album.

Suggestions of other fav's in Comments please!

Day 7, ANGELS

[Friday]

'Angels' in Greek mean 'Messengers'. In Bible, heavenly angels are mentioned as messengers of God. Christmas angels are perhaps the most popular form of angels that are used in our celebrations.  Angels are believed to be immortal, who live in Heaven, and act as intermediaries between God and Humankind. Traditionally, pictures and poems on angels portray them having human bodies with wings sprouting from their backs. 'Wings' are said to symbolize Innocence, Virtue, Purity, Peace and Love, which place them above Humans though they are still under God. It was the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of Christianity, which first mentions that angels had a human body and angel wings and could fly.

They were quite instrumental in birth of Jesus Christ and hence, play an important role in Christmas celebration and festivities. Angels were the ones that brought us the news of the birth of the Christ child. Gabriel, the heavenly Christmas angel brought the divine news to Mary and revealed that she was chosen to bear God's son. Another angel informed Joseph that he should marry Mary and look after the Christ.

Excerpt from http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-angels.html

And for you at home, here is some craft!

Stick Angel

Colouring Angel

Easy Angel 

Perth activities

Christmas Twilight Hawkers Market - Sample cuisine from around the globe including Indonesian satays, Spanish paella, Turkish gozlemes and Moroccan tagines at these international food markets. As an accompaniment to your meal, enjoy free live music and roving Festive entertainment under a string of paper lanterns in Forrest Place from 5 - 9pm.

Day 8, SANTA HAT PHOTOS

[Saturday]

The good ol' red and white floppy hat is the cutest prop in a kiddy photo shoot.   Set up some fun where your kids are wearing their ho-ho-ho hats and snap away.  Try splashing around in the paddling pool, eating ice cream cones or throwing water bombs at each other.  This will distract them from the fact you are taking photos of them!  You can use the photos on a Christmas Card or a gift for Daddy.

Here’s also a quick craft to thrash the Santa theme.

Day 9, FAMILY PICNIC

[Sunday]

Togetherness and Time-Out in December is a really great thing. Pack a picnic and find some grass to spread a rug. Just for fun, we might pack some dinner in the gift-like noodle boxes. Unwrapping is another Christmas joy and that’s how Fish and Chips are best eaten!!

Sunday Bible Reading - Psalm 25:4-5

⁴Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank you for your life that showed us the way to live and help us trust the truth you have taught us. We believe you are God of our lives and everything we need is supplied by you.

Reflection: Recount some of the acts of kindness you chose to participate in from the Advent Action Cards. Remember these actions and people in your prayers and talk to the kids about how they feel about the activity. Talk through the feelings of gratitude for everything we have and everything we have to give.

Perth Activities
Take a picnic to Braithwaite Park in Mt Hawthorn for their community Carols In The Park.  Program starts at 7pm.

Day 10, STORY TIME

[Monday]

There are stacks of Christmas story books in our local library so there shouldn’t be a shortage if you don’t already have a couple on your bookshelf.

 

For variations to the traditional story try these suggestions...

Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

and then there's

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss ($5.49 app for iPhone or iPad)

And here are some online versions of the story

A simple poem
The Angels Visit The Shepherds
The Gift Of Christmas
A something a little bit kooky

Day 11, GIVING TO THE POOR

[Tuesday]

The tradition of alms or giving to the poor is common to a number of religions. At a time of year when there is a high concentration of giving it is good and right we remember the needs of others and share our wealth.

We really like the opportunity to give sustainably and practically to the poorest of the poor through the TEAR catalogue. Our dollars go so far in the third world.

Also there is the Charity Link website which assists 100+ charities in WA at Christmas time.

Target have the giving tree and there are many other charities that will cross your path this month. Choose to do what you can.

Another practical activity that you can do with the kids are help them recycle some current toys to an op shop.

Here’s some other practical and crafty ideas for coins and notes…

Christmas money envelopes

Coin candles

Day 12, CHRISTMAS CARDS AND TAGS

[Wednesday]

Plug your printer in and go crazy.  Lots of printable cards to download which the kids can colour in, stick on glitter or glue bits onto.

Christmas Printables

Homemade Christmas Cards

Printable Cards to Colour

Day 13, COOK, COOK AS FAST AS YOU CAN

[Thursday]

Yeh, we need more food in the house!  Probably not, but here are some winning ideas if you are starving and have an hour to spare.

Snow man on a Stick

Reindeer Cup Cakes

Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread House

Or this House

A Gingerbread Tree

And this is a great present idea - Cookies in a Jar

Day 14, FELT NATIVITY OR FINGER PUPPETS

[Friday]

These finger puppets are a great way to tell the Christmas story.   See Day 10 for a script if you need prompting.

Along similar lines is this interactive Felt Nativity Scene.

Finger Puppets to print (not stitch together as pictured!!)


Perth activities
Christmas Twilight Hawkers Market - Sample cuisine from around the globe including Indonesian satays, Spanish paella, Turkish gozlemes and Moroccan tagines at these international food markets. As an accompaniment to your meal, enjoy free live music and roving Festive entertainment under a string of paper lanterns in Forrest Place from 5-9pm.
 

Day 15, DOUGH DECORATIONS

[Saturday]

Make some unique decorations out of Bakers Clay – just like play dough but will last a lifetime!

Let the kids decide what they’d like to make to hang on the tree or give to grandma.  You may want to coach them in the theme of stars, plaited wreaths, angels with wings or nativity animals.  An easy option is to use Christmas biscuit cutters of trees and stars.  Easier still is just to roll out the clay and cut plain circles that can be painted Christmas colours once hard.  Don’t forget to make a hole in the final ‘artwork’ before baking so that a ribbon or hook can be inserted.

Here’s the recipe;

Bakers Clay
1 cup of flour
½ cup salt
¼ - ½ cup cup water

Mix all ingredients together, adding water slowly until you can knead a ball resembling clay.  Roll it out flat to cut out shapes or mould into 3D figures.

Bake flat shapes at 95~c or moulded shapes at 180~c for 1 hour.


Perth Activities
Enjoy all the colour and spectacle of the RAC Channel Seven Christmas Pageant, which has been moved back to an evening timeslot (7.30pm) for 2012.  There will be new floats, the Christmas lights and a free mini-carnival in Forrest Place from 3pm to 7pm.
City retailers will also trade late until 9pm on the night to join in with the Pageant fun.

Day 16, JOY TO THE WORLD

 
[Sunday]

Bible Reading about the Christmas joy

⁹After [a meeting with the king] the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!”he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

An excerpt from the Bible (Matthew 2:9-11& Luke 2:9-11)

Bunnings, Spotlight and lots of budget shops sell letters cut from MDF wood. Pick yourself up a J, O and Y and get the kids to decorate them.

Glue magnets to the back (in the same aisle probably) and the letters can live on the fridge.

Sunday Bible Reading - Isaiah 9:6-7

⁶ For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lordof Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Prayer

We are so glad that you came to our world and brought with you a promise of peace. We want to peacemakers in the world you have given to us. May our lives be reminders to others of the good and right paths to follow. Help us follow you.

Reflection: Recount some of the acts of kindness you chose to participate in from the Advent Action Cards. Remember these actions and people in your prayers and talk to the kids about how they feel about the activity. Talk through the feelings of gratitude for everything we have and everything we have to give.

 

Day 17, CHRISTMAS MOVIE

[Monday]

It’s Saturday night and the fire is crackling, the eggnog is warming and the movie is starting.  Be nice to do all that but the reality is we’ll have the aircon pounding our near-naked bodies!  Still, a family movie night is a great thing to do.  Rent something or poke around on YouTube for some entertainment like….

A Charlie Brown Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (first 14 minutes)

Or the many downloadable and rentable movies if you type “Christmas” into iTunes

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Muppet Christmas
A Christmas Carol
The Polar Express

(BTW, Here’s an Iced Eggnog recipe for the parents )

 

Day 18, WRAPPING PAPER

[Tuesday]

Either get yourself some big sheets of plain paper or just buy a cheap roll of coloured plain wrapping paper and get the kids to add value to it. Choose two variations of a similar colour (red/purple or green/aqua or red/silver) as when you mix red and green together it ain’t pretty.

If you like a more controlled approach, cut shapes such as spots or stars from coloured paper/card and glue them on.

Day 19, BISCUIT GARLAND

[Wednesday]

I had an idea I might make a batch of biscuits which we later thread through a red ribbon and hang around the tree or over a doorway.  Apparently Charlie & Lola had this idea first. 

Try it too…just a simple biscuit recipe, a couple of cutters and a ribbon.  Once again, don’t forget the hole in the bickie before you bake.  Easy to cut out using a drinking straw as the hole punch.  Once cooked and cooled thread with a red ribbon.  Voila.

These garlands can be given as gifts, possibly on Day 23.


Perth Activities
Christmas Nativity - The traditional story of Christmas is brought to life in Forrest Place with hundreds of performers, live animals and Christmas carols. Be sure to bring the whole family to this enchanting annual event.  Starts 7:30pm in Forrest Place.

Day 20, DECORATE KIDS ROOM

[Thursday] 

By now you should have an annoying amount of red and green glittery crafts strewn all over the house.  Collect them all up and spend some time decorating the kids’ rooms.  Let them wallow in their own creative glory!

If you are really mental and reckon you have the time to do this then go for it and win the prize for Interior Decorator Of The Year.

 

Perth Activities
Christmas Nativity - The traditional story of Christmas is brought to life in Forrest Place with hundreds of performers, live animals and Christmas carols. Be sure to bring the whole family to this enchanting annual event. Starts 7:30pm in Forrest Place.

 

Day 21, PEACE ON EARTH DOVES

[Friday]

‘Peace on Earth’ declared the Angels who turned up to introduce Jesus to the world at the time of his birth.  Part of the Christmas story goes like this…

 ^8-12There were sheep herders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

 ^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
   Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 

Text extracted from the Bible (Luke 2:12-14)

Paper Dove decoration idea here


Perth Activities
Christmas Nativity - The traditional story of Christmas is brought to life in Forrest Place with hundreds of performers, live animals and Christmas carols. Be sure to bring the whole family to this enchanting annual event. Starts 7:30pm in Forrest Place.

Day 22, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE

[Saturday]

My kids are just excited to go outside in their pyjamas in the early evening so how about a road trip through some leafy suburbs looking for flashing lights.  I have no idea but I reckon the Mt Pleasant (in Perth) area might be a good place to start.  The newspaper also shares the addresses of displays worth a visit.  Also Perth city has Christmas lights galore.  We need to tip off each other though -  Suburb suggestions in comments please.  

 

Day 23, GIFT WRAPPING AND GIVING

[Sunday]

The Biblical nativity story is also the source of the tradition of gift-giving.  It is known that 3 Kings of the Orient travelled to visit the young boy (possibly a toddler by the time they determined his location).

The Kings honoured Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh and, as the centuries passed by, these three gifts became traditional symbols to remember those early gifts to Jesus.  The Three Kings of the Orient became a symbol of kindness known by different names (Wise Men, Magi, Kings from the East, etc) in different cultures and nations.

The history is unclear about the name of the Wise Men, but during the 8th century, it was declared that their official names were Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar. They were formerly Zoroastrian astrologers from Ancient Persia who traveled from the east of Jerusalem to honor the King of the Jews guided by the Star of Bethlehem.

The gifts given were gifts thought to be suitable for a king.

However, it is also believed that such gifts are associated with the prophecy of the Star of Bethlehem, which says that gold symbolized kingship on earth, frankincense was the symbol of divine authority, and myrrh symbolizing death.     
Paraphrased from http://EzineArticles.com/360629

Gift giving to demonstrate kindness is worthy message for our kids.   Maybe today the kids can choose someone close by to make a gift delivery to.


Perth Activities
IGA Carols By Candlelight -This annual Christmas variety concert will take place under the stars. Families can bring a rug and a picnic and sing along to their favourite Christmas carols. Children’s activities commence from 6.30pm.

Day 24, ADVENT SCRAPBOOK

[Monday]

None of us are going to be compiling a scrapbook like this on Christmas Eve but it’s a great memory book.  When you can, get some Event: Advent photos printed and slip them in any kind of cheapo album that the kids can look back on all year. 

The updated version of this amazing scrapbook is here  

Of course Carols by Candlelight is on TV tonight and is an absolute favourite at our house.  Can’t beat it on Christmas Eve.


Perth Activities
Festive Flicks at the Northbridge Piazza - screening A Muppet Christmas Carol (G) at 7.30pm.

Day 25, CHRISTMAS

[Tuesday]

Christmas Bible Reading - Luke 2: 1-20

The Birth of Jesus
¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels
⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Prayer

Thank you for the gift of Jesus to our world for ancient times and for today.  Help us allow him to transform our hearts and minds to be more like him.

Blessing (Iona Community)

Christ be in our eyes and in our looking,
Christ be in our ears and in our listening,
Christ be in our hands and in our making,
Christ be in our minds and in our understanding,
Christ be in our hearts and in our loving.

Reflection:  Recount some of the acts of kindness you chose to participate in during Advent.   Talk through the feelings of gratitude for everything we have and everything we have to give.