Expect this post to be revised periodically, up to the beginning of Advent 2010.
Much of what we're doing this year comes from "Celebrating the Church Year with Young Children," a favorite resource for spiritual training.
Our intro for each candle-lighting "service":
We are in the season of waiting and hoping. Our Advent wreath reminds us of our waiting, because each week we wait for a greater and greater light. The prophets [week 4: gospel writers] are very special friends of God. They tell us God’s word to help us know the wonderful things happening for us.
Week 1
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
Music: Messiah Part I, No. 11
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Art: The Light of the World, William Holman HuntSymbol: Sun or star or candle
Crafts: Toilet paper roll candles
Light holes craft from Preschool Art, p. 131Week 2
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Music: Messiah Part I, No. 12
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Art: Adoration of the Lamb, Jan van EyckO Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Symbol: Crown
Week 3
Scripture: Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times. “
Music: O Holy Night
Art: The Census at Bethlehem, BruegelSymbol: Bethlehem star, most especially the Natal Cross
Crafts: Black paper silhouettes of buildings on dark blue paper, then put glue in star shape and sprinkle with glitter.
Stained Glass Melt from Preschool Art, p. 116
Week 4
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God's power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!"
Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said." And the angel left her.
I LOVE this idea and am going to try it in our home, with maybe a little tweeking to meet our needs. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Allison
Allison, I tweak this every year myself! lol
ReplyDeleteI enjoy lighting scented candles in stemmed candlesticks. They look pretty and smell good. We used cranberry (red) candles, and the one for Jesus was white, and it was in the tallest candlestick. My little variation on the wreath.
ReplyDeleteI like to use Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree devotional, too.
Now I need to get my stuff together. Advent starts today!
I'm going to add some of your links, too, especially the music.
Thanks!