lessons from the liturgical calendar the season of...

On the First Sunday of Advent you may teach a lesson on the overall season of Advent.

Summary of Today’s Story Advent is the first season of the Church year, because as Christians we begin with Jesus Christ. Advent means coming. During this season, we anticipate and prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ in our lives.

In this lesson on the season of Advent you can focus on the meaning of the season, its symbols and traditions and the kinds of stories that are told and why they are important for us.

The scripture readings focus on the expectation and fulfillment of God’s promises to us. The themes include: ■ the coming of Jesus Christ as a baby in Bethlehem ■ the second coming of Christ at the end of time ■ judgment on the nations and on individuals for

their behavior towards others (Matthew 25) ■ preparation for Christ’s coming, including

repentance for our sins, helping other people and “making our paths straight”

L e S S o n S f r o m T h e L i T u r g i c a L c a L e n d a r

The Season of Advent

When We celebrateAdvent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

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The episcopal ThreadAs a liturgical church, the Episcopal Church follows the liturgical calendar closely in its worship, so Advent is

a familiar and well-loved time. Often there are church-wide activities during Advent to prepare the congregation for Christmas. One church has an Advent event every year on the first Sunday in Advent, an intergenerational program of service and craft-making using Advent themes of joy, peace, love and hope. In another church, each family makes an Advent wreath to take home. In another church, members make Advent candles. Many churches will offer an Advent Festival of Lessons and Music, often as an evening service. Guidelines for this service can be found in the Book of Occasional Services (New York, NY: Church Publishing, 2004, p. 31).

Despite the cultural tendency to begin celebrating Christmas right after Thanksgiving, the Episcopal Church is careful to keep the season of Advent from merging into Christmas. Advent hymns, not Christmas carols, are sung. Scripture readings prepare us for the birth of Christ, but wait until Christmas to tell the story of the nativity. It is a time of expectation and anticipation, not yet celebration. Christmas will come soon enough.



gatheringAs the children gather for this class, have them begin a simple activity that will

help focus their attention on the coming lesson. You might have the children do a simple Advent craft that can be finished in a few minutes, such as making an Advent magnet showing a symbol of Advent. Additional ideas for Gathering activities can be found on pages 1-2 in the Appendix (also downloadable).

Older children always enjoy a brief time of fellowship before the class begins. This social time is important for building relationships and community.

After all the children have arrived and had a few minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather them together and say a simple opening prayer.

Telling the StoryTell the children about the season of Advent, beginning with the meaning of Advent and its focus in

our spiritual life. Explain how the stories of this season prepare us for the coming of Christ. (The stories themselves are covered in the lessons from the Bible.) You’ll find information on the season and its stories in the Overview on Advent, also downloadable.

Children are particularly interested in: ■ the change in the liturgical color ■ the change in mood to one of anticipation and

expectation ■ the appearance and meaning of the Advent wreath

and Advent candle ■ the talk of the coming of Jesus

After telling the children about the season of Advent, proceed to Prayer, saving any discussion for later, while having snacks or doing an activity.



PrayerSet up a small worship center in your classroom.

Materialssmall table with a cloth to cover it2 candlesAdvent wreath with Advent candles or 1 large

Christ candle matchesBiblecrossoptional: flowers (real, fake or handmade by the

children)

Have the children set up a simple altar with the materials listed above. Invite them to place on the altar any drawings or crafts that they created during Gathering time. Then light the candles. If you are using an Advent wreath, light the appropriate number of Advent candles.

Read one or two verses from the lectionary reading for this Sunday. This will help the children connect the story that they just heard with the Bible. If working with older children, you might expand the reading to several verses, though we recommend keeping the reading short.

Note: The church staff will be able to provide you with the lectionary reading for today, the First Sunday of Advent. The reading can also be found in the The Book of Common Prayer under The Lectionary on pages 889-931.

Help familiarize the children with our liturgy by doing the reading as it is done in church. Read as follows:

Reader: A reading from the book of (name of book): (Read the selected passage.)

Reader: The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself then invite prayers from each child in the circle: ■ Invite prayers of thanks for the work that God has

done for us during the past week. Allow children to share the ways in which they have been guided by God or felt his presence in their lives.

■ Welcome prayers of intercession. Especially during this time of hope and longing, encourage children to offer prayers for those who may have no hope or those whose hope is diminished by poverty or oppression.

■ Ask if anyone has had a birthday or celebrated a special day during the past week and give thanks that we can celebrate these special times with one another in our church family.

■ End the prayer time by praying together the Lord’s Prayer.

Carefully extinguish the candles.



SharingPass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as:

■ For the good food which God has given us, and for the hands that prepared it, let us give thanks to God. Amen.

While the children are sharing a snack, invite them to share their sense of Advent, with its mood of expectation and preparation, and ask how they might be preparing for the coming of Christ and Christmas.

acTiviTieS for ThiS Week’S SeSSion



activities: arts, crafts, games, drama, etc.

After Sharing, begin an activity to supplement and enhance today’s story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so they make the connection.

Suggested story-related activities are provided at the end of this lesson on pages 8-23. On these pages you’ll find two Advent wreath crafts, but you might consider having the children make a traditional Advent wreath, either individually or as a class. You might also have children make gifts for others, such as your church homebound, or for an outreach agency as a way of sharing the spirit of Advent.

If you have time, the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (New York: HarperTrophy, 1988) is a wonderful story that tells us about the true focus of our preparation for Christ. The video of the same name is around one hour long (Regency Home Video, 1983).

Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 3-6 in the Appendix (also downloadable) where we’ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson.



memorizationThere is no memorization for this lesson.

Weaving our faithAs the class draws to a close, help the children weave together the lesson and say what they learned today by asking questions such as:

■ What was today’s lesson about? ■ What stories did we hear about today? What do

they tell us? ■ What did we learn about the season of Advent?

To help the children recall the main points of the lesson, you may prompt them with key words, such as: Advent, candles, expectation, coming of Christ, prepare.

closing PrayerBefore the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into

the church worship service or back to their homes wrapped in the love of Christ. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: ■ Dear loving God, now we are preparing for your

coming among us and we are preparing for the joy of Christmas. Send us now back to our homes in peace and love, so that our hearts may be ready to welcome you when you come. Amen.

End the class with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: ■ The peace of the Lord be always with you.

The children respond: ■ And also with you.


STa r adv e n T W r e aT h Sfor Primary, elementary

Children make advent wreaths with stars and hang angels from the bottom of their wreaths.

Materials:star patterns (p. 10) scissorsgluegold or silver glitterred and green ribbonposter boardangel figure (p. 9)shallow boxes or lidshole punch

Preparation:Make copies of the star patterns, at least 14 stars per child. Also make copies of the angel, one for each child.

Cut about 6" diameter rings from poster board, one for each child.

Directions:Distribute the star patterns, angel figures and poster board rings and invite each child to make a star Advent wreath. Give the children these directions:

1. Cut out the stars and the angel.

2. Glue the stars onto the poster-board ring, overlapping the stars.

3. Spread glue on stars and add glitter. Shake off the excess glitter into a box to minimize the mess.

4. Tie ribbon around the wreath and add bows.

5. Punch a hole at the top and bottom of the wreath. Thread a ribbon through the top hole for hanging the wreath.

6. Color the angel and punch a hole at the top. Thread ribbon through the hole and hang the angel from the bottom of the wreath.

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adv e n T c h a i n S for Preschool, Primary

Children make 24-link paper chains to use to count off the days until Christmas.

Materials:different shades of purple construction paperlarge star pattern (p. 12)yellow construction paper “My Advent Chain” poem (p. 13)stapler or tapeglueribbonhole punchscissors

Preparation:Cut the construction paper into 1" x 9" strips (24 per child). Make copies of the star pattern, on heavy paper and cut out.

Directions:Give each child 24 strips of construction paper and invite the each child to make an Advent paper chain. Help the younger children as needed. Give the children these directions:

1. Trace around the star pattern onto yellow construction paper and cut out. At the top, punch a hole and thread a short (10") ribbon through the hole for hanging.

2. Cut out the poem “My Advent Chain” and glue it to the star.

3. Staple together the ends of the strips of paper, linking the loops to make a paper chain.

4. Thread a ribbon (10") through the loop at one end of the chain. Securely tape both ends of the ribbon to the back of the star.

Explain to the children that on each day, beginning on the first of December, they can remove one link as a way to count off the days until Christmas.




my adv e n T c h a i n

Christmas Day will soon be hereand I can hardly wait!I’ve made this little Advent chainto help me celebrate.

Each day I’ll snip one loop from itso that I will rememberthat happy Christmas Daythat comes in each December!

Please help me hang my chain up high,I’ll cut one loop each day,and when we reach the golden star—we’ll know it’s Christmas Day!



B r e ad - d o u g h adv e n T W r e aT h S for intermediate

Children braid ropes of dough to make Advent wreaths.

Materials:2 cups all-purpose flour1 cup salt1 cup waterlarge bowlmixing spoonpurple candles, 4 per child (or 3 purple and 1 pink)

Preparation:Mix flour and salt in bowl. Add water slowly. Add flour or water to make the dough less sticky. Knead for 5-10 minutes. Children can help make the dough.

Directions:Give each child a lump of dough. Show them how to roll the lumps to make fat ropes, then invite the children to make Advent wreaths. Give the children these directions:

1. Braid 3 ropes together. Join the ends of the braid together in a circle.

2. Add candles.

3. Let the wreath air dry.




adv e n T P r ay e r P y r a m i dfor elementary, intermediate

Children make a prayer “tent” with paper candles and decorate it. It may be used as a centerpiece at home to mark each week of Advent leading to Christmas.

Materials:Pyramid Pattern (p. 16), 1 per childPyramid Prayers for Advent (p. 17), 1 per childCandle Patterns (p. 18), 1 per childmarkers or crayonsscissorsglue

Preparation:Make a copy for each child of the pyramid pattern, the four candles and the prayers.

Directions:Invite each child to make a prayer pyramid as follows:

1. Cut out the pyramid shape and color what will be the outside of the pyramid.

2. Fold at the dotted lines, then glue the tabs as instructed to make the pyramid shape.

3. Cut out the candles and color.

4. Cut out the prayers. Glue one prayer to each side of the pyramid, gluing only the bottom and two sides. Leave the tip open, with enough space to insert the candle shape. This will hold the “candles.”

Optional: Older children may create their own prayers. Use the same size paper and follow the same instructions for attaching the prayers to the pyramid.

5. Take the pyramid home, with the candles left off. On the first Sunday in Advent, insert a candle inside the first prayer. (You may want to add a little dab of glue to make it stick upright.) On the second Sunday, insert a second candle to the second prayer, and so on. Say the prayer for each week at mealtime, starting with the first Sunday in Advent.




Pyramid Prayers for Advent

IAdvent

God of Hope,Help me wait in hope

for the coming of our Savior.

2Advent

O God of Peace,Help me wait patiently

for Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

3 Advent

Faithful, loving God,Give me the faith to wait

for Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

4Advent

God of all joy,You give us joy for

the birth of Holy Jesus,Your Son, the Son of God. Amen.

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Candle Patterns



adv e n T T i m e P i ec efor Primary, elementary

Children use felt, jewels and a paper plate to make a clock for counting down to Christmas.

Materials:lrge white paper plate, 1 per childpurple, yellow and pink feltpaper fastener, 2 per childscissors for cutting the feltCandle Pattern (p. 20)pipe cleanersstar stickersadhesive “jewels,” putting four in a baggie for each childhole punchglue ribbon, 12" per child

Preparation:Make a copy of the candle template for each child.

Directions:Invite each child to make a timepiece as follows:

1. The paper plate is the timepiece. Punch a hole in the center, then punch another hole at the rim of the plate. Through it, thread a 12" length of ribbon for hanging.

2. Using the candle template as a guide, cut out three purple and one pink felt candles.

3. Arrange the candles on the plate so that the candles are parallel to each other and oriented to the top of the timepiece (see illustration): purple at 3:00, 6:00 and 12:00, pink at 9:00. Glue the candles to the paper plate. These represent the four weeks in Advent, with the pink candle representing the third Sunday.

4. Insert a paper fastener into the hole in the center of the plate. Wrap the end of a pipe cleaner around the fastener, keeping the rest of it as straight as possible. Make the straight stick almost reach the candles.

5. On the candle end of the pipe cleaner, attach a star sticker.

6. Take the timepiece home along with the baggie of “jewels.” On the first Sunday of Advent, point the pipe cleaner hand to the first candle (at 3:00) and stick a “jewel” on that candle. Do this for the next three Sundays in Advent until you have “lit” all four candles on the fourth Sunday in Advent.




Candle Pattern




S c e n T e d P i n eco n efor Preschool, Primary

Children sprinkle real pinecones with cinnamon to fill their homes or rooms with wonderful Christmas smells.

Materials:pineconeswhite glueglittercinnamon

Directions:Invite each child to make a scented pinecone as follows:

1. Dot the tips of the pinecone with glue.

2. Sprinkle with glitter and then cinnamon.

3. Let the pinecone dry.



f L u f f y STa r o r n a m e n Tfor Primary, elementary

Children use yellow felt, sequins, glitter, and stuffing to make a shiny and fluffy star.

Materials:yellow feltcotton stuffing materialcraft gluedecorating materials: sequins, glitter, ribbon, felt, googly eyesscissorsStar Pattern (p. 12)hole punchribbonoptional: crochet hook, chopstick or other long instrument to help insert stuffing

Preparation:Make a copy of the star template for each child, or cut out two stars for each child from the yellow felt.

Directions:Invite each child to make a star as follows:

1. Using the star pattern, outline two stars on the felt and cut them out.

2. Place the matching sides together and glue the stars together at the edges. Leave a small unglued area on one side. This is the opening for inserting the stuffing.

3. Lightly stuff the star with the cotton stuffing. You can use a crochet hook or other instrument to gently stuff the points.

4. Glue the open side of the star shut and let it dry.

5. Punch a hole in the star and thread around 6" of ribbon through. Tie the ribbon.

6. Decorate your star using sequins, glitter, ribbons or other pieces of felt. For an interesting star, glue googly eyes and make a face.




adv e n T c a n d L efor Preschool, Primary, elementary, intermediate

On each night of Advent, children add a shiny star to a votive candleholder, until Christmas Eve when they finally light the candle.

Materials:small, clear votive candleholder, 1 per childvotive candle, 1 per childsmall star stickers, shiny gold or silver, 24 per childplastic sandwich bag with zip closure to hold stars, 1 per childpaper sacks to hold items, 1 per childcrayons and/or markers

Directions:1. Invite each child to decorate the outside of a paper sack, which they will use to carry the items.

2. Give each child a candleholder, a candle and a plastic bag containing 24 stars, with the instructions below. Children will take these materials home.

This is an Advent candle.Each night of Advent, pleace on start on the outside of your candleholder. Say this prayer:

May my star candle shine brightWhen Jesus is born on Christmas night.May my heart also shine brightAnd give to the world Jesus’ sweet light.

On Christmas Eve night, have an adult light the candle for the first time. If your family has a creche at home, you may take the candle there and let the stars on the candle light up the nativity night.

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