Advent 2015, week 1

When I was a kid we had an Advent book that we read nightly--I honestly can't remember much about it--maybe it was just Daily Guideposts--but I remember that it was always special and meaningful to read and light the candles together.  When the kids were little, we started reading our own books--several different ones, but never just one that I loved. I spent time every night picking the reading that would work best for us from several choices, leaving a pile of books on the table.  When they were little, Mr. IM or I read, but the last several years we've had to create a complicated system of which child gets to read each night and who lights the candle(s) and so forth... (or doesn't have to, depending on mood...)

In 2008 I spent weeks (yes, weeks) putting together our own family Advent readings--cross referencing calendars to set it up for all of Advent (not just December 1-25) and Epiphany from 2008 through 2020....egads.  I also made sure that there was a reading for every day for every year--since Advent is a different number of days each year... It was several computers ago, so the digital file is "gone" I think.  I made copies of the book for many family members, I'm curious if anyone else still has theirs and/or uses it.  It includes photos of the kids and art by them. I pulled ideas, readings, and partial daily activities from our favorite books and resources--mostly so we wouldn't have to grab the stack and decide which one we like best--here are my sources--I definitely want to note that this is a compilation, I didn't write this, I just put it all together...

*An Advent of Ideas:  Chistmas Sharing, Product concept, Inc.  Printed in Mexico (out of print?)
*Advent Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church:  Activities to celebrate Catholic Liturgical Seasons.  Catherine and Peter Fournier. Ignatius Press:  San Francisco. 2001 ISBN 0-90870-859-1  Revised and reprinted 2013  (our version seems to be out of print)
*"Celebrate Advent!" By L'Tishia Suk. Focus on the Family Magazine.  December 2000 (not available on the internet that I can find...but cited by several others)
Pamphlet. Copyright 1998, Archdiocese of Chicago:  Liturgy Training Publicans, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101;  1-800-933-1800 website www.ltp.org Design by Roslyn Broder. (Looks like they are still in business, but I  can't find the pamphlet we have on their site)
*Holy Bible, New International Version, 1983

 Now that the kids are older, we're adding a new book this year (in addition to our family one)--Not Yet Christmas: It's Time for Advent by J.D. Walt.  I bought both the Kindle and paperback editions--I like holding the paperback.

Anyway, because tomorrow is the first day of Advent, here are this week's readings, in case anyone is interested!

Sunday, November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent:  Today Advent begins.  It is a time of preparation and waiting, just as God's people waited for Jesus, the Messiah.  Our Advent wreath has three purple candles, one pink candle, and a white candle in the middle.  The three purple candles symbolize royalty and remind us that Jesus is the King of Kings.  Today we light the first purple candle.  The first candle is often called the candle of hope.  we have hope because God is faithful and will keep His promises to us.  (Light one purple candle.  If you would like to, read a favorite version or translation of the Christmas story or another meaningful Christmas story).  Prayer:  Dear God, bless this wreath.  Help our family to remember that Advent is a time of hope.  Help us prepare for your coming.  Thank you for your faithfulness ot our family.  Amen.

Monday, November 30, 2015
Isaiah 40:1-5:  Comfort, comfort, my people says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
 Advent is a time to prepare for Jesus's birthday. What are some ways our family prepares for Christmas?  What are some ways we can prepare and help others in our community prepare?  (discuss) Advent is also a time to remember that Jesus paid for our sins and that we are forgiven.  What a wonderful way for God to show his love to us!  Prayer: Thank you, God, for giving us Advent as a time to remember your love and to prepare for Christmas.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Read Micah 5:2: But you, Bethlehem,...out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel..
Bethlehem was a small town.  Even though it was the home city of King David, people in the region probably didn't expect greatness to come from there.  God chose Bethlehem to remind us that Jesus was a person, just like us, but without sin.  His choice to come to earth as a baby reminds us that we don't have to be big or powerful to make big changes in the world.  Prayer:  Thank you, God, for letting even the smallest of us give great gifts.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Isaiah 52:7-10:  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns! Listen!  you watchmen lift up your voices, together they shout for joy!"
During the Christmas season we sing special songs about the birth of Jesus.  Christmas songs glorify God and remind us of Jesus's birth.  What is your favorite Christmas song?  What does it tell us about Jesus's birth?  For the prayer, choose your favorite song about Jesus's birth and sing it together.

Thursday, December 3, 2015
John 8:12  Jesus...said, "I am the light of the world".
We use many symbols during Advent to remember special things about God.  We remember that Jesus is the light of the world by decorating with candles and lights.  The lights also remind us to be a light of God, to share his good news with others.  Prayer:  Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to be our light.  Help us to be lights for others.

Friday, December 4, 2015
Psalm 132:11  The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke:  One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.
Jesus was born a king!  The Bible says that Jesus was born into the house of King David, showing that Christ came from a long line of kings.  The first chapter of matthew lists Jesus's genealogy proving he was born a king.  This was important because it fulfilled God's promise that a descendent of David would return to the throne.  Even though Christ was born a king, he didn't act like one.  Jesus didn't take advantage of his power to get what he wanted, only to help others.  Prayer:  God, thank you for keeping your promises.  Help us to use our gifts and powers to help others.

Saturday, December 5, 2015
Matthew 2:1-2  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him".
Tomorrow is Saint Nicholas Day.  Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of seafarers, scholars, bankers, pawnbrokers, jurists, brewers, coopers, travelers, perfumers, unmarried girls, brides, schoolboys, and robbers.  (a list worth discussing and pondering)  He is most famous for being the special patron of children.  St. Nicholas was probably a native of Patara , in Lycia, in Asia Minor.  There are many legends about his good deeds.  His best known virtue was love and charity for the poor.  In Holland and other places around the world (including our house), children leave their wooden (or other) shoes outside their door on December 5, in hopes of receiving a small gift of candy, cookies, apples, or nuts from Saint Nicholas.  When Saint Nicholas leaves these gifts, we are reminded of his kindness and of the Wise Men's visit and gifts to Jesus.  Prayer:  Thank you God for your gifts to us.  Help us show kindness to the people around us and to share what we are given freely.