This years Advent will be very different. More than ever, our job as the church is to equip families to worship, learn, and grow in their own home. I have put together an Advent take home Kit. Families will drive up to get their kit. Each week will be divided into weeks. I use large business envelopes marked clearly Advent I, Advent II, Advent III, Advent IV, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There is, also, an envelope marked “Open now”.
Our families look forward to getting their kits. Children get very excited to know it is coming.
I send out the theme and get a different person to write the devotion. Each page of the devotion includes scripture, reflection and a prayer.
Here is the outline for our 2020 Kit:
Advent 2020 Home Kits During Time of Covid 19
General include:
- What is Advent?
- Coloring sheet for praying while coloring with instructions
- Instructions for Advent Wreath -how to make one and how to use it.
- Child’s Advent Wreath how to make one and supplies to make one
- Devotions (see each week)
- Nativity Making Kit, https://www.episcopalrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/DIYCreche_FINAL.pdf
- Paper Nativity Kit (several options included)
- Creche Activities sheet and Creche blessing sheet
- Invitation to Stations of the Nativity
- Invitation for Lessons & Carols
Nov. 29: Angels Among Us (theme)
- Angel explanation
- Angel craft-coffee filter angels, gold pipe cleaners, small ball three coffee filters & how to.
- Angel Devotion
- Angel Coloring page: http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/christmas-angel-with-candle
- Angel “gift”
- Instructions to make Mary & Angel for Creche
- Outreach project-purchasing a gift from the “Angel” Tree
December 6: Saints Among Us
- St. Nicholas information
- Coloring Sheet on St. Nicholas: https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/crafts/coloring
- Devotion on St. Nicholas
- Nicholas craft: St. Nicholas figure-toilet paper roll, coloring sheet, colors and glue or tape
https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/crafts/figures/abc-nicholas
- Nicholas “gift”-St. Nicholas Prayer Cards https://www.stnicholascenter.org/shop/prayer-cards#Holiday
- Make St. Nicholas Ornament-how to turn Santa clause into St. Nicholas: need red foil miter and gold pipe cleaner – https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/crafts/turn-santa-into-nicholas
- Instructions to make Joseph for Creche
- Outreach Project- Items for Kids Café (Get list from Nancy)
- Invitation to tune into St. Nicholas appearance.
December 13: Prophets Among Us (Shepherds among us)
- Prophet information sheet
- John the Baptist Coloring Sheet- https://www.kidssundayschool.com/preschool/coloring-pages/john-the-baptist
- Copy of Baptism Covenant- BCP 304-5, https://episcopalchurch.org/baptismal-covenant
- Shepherd craft – 3D Shepherd $9.79 for 12. https://www.orientaltrading.com/3d-good-shepherd-craft-kit-a2-13949778.fltr?keyword=shepherd+craft
- Devotion
- Information for making Shepherds for creche
- Outreach project- Read WS (get book ideas from RWS)
- Shepherd/prophet “gift” -candy cane
December 20: Disciples Among Us (Mary and others who live their faith)
- Coloring Sheet: http://www.getcoloringpages.com/mary-and-joseph-coloring-pages
- What is a disciple?
- Instructions to make Stable and Manger
- Frame/gift craft- color frame and put picture and put on tree: https://www.orientaltrading.com/color-your-own-jesus-loves-me-picture-frame-magnets-a2-13949816.fltr?keyword=religious+frame
- Outreach Project- cards for our older prarishners
- Invite to Lessons & Carols
- Musical Ornament- https://simplymadefun.com/diy-musical-ornaments (sheets of music, clear bulbs, scissors, ribbon)
- Explanation of use of music in worship & Lessons for children
December 24: God Among Us
- Devotion
- Coloring pages- https://www.bestcoloringpagesforkids.com/free-printable-nativity-coloring-pages-kids.html
- Outreach Project-white gifts?
- Make Jesus for Creche
- Stations of Nativity invite
December 25: Merry Christmas!
- Card
- Devotion
- Nativity scene $7.69 for 12 https://www.orientaltrading.com/tissue-paper-star-christmas-ornament-craft-kit-a2-48_8485.fltr or
- Tissue paper star ornament $9.79 for 12 https://www.orientaltrading.com/tissue-paper-star-christmas-ornament-craft-kit-a2-48_8485.fltr