This week's resources focus on the themes of being alert and growing in awareness as we enter the Advent season.
Faith To Go Podcast: Being Alert
Hosted each week by the Faith Formation team at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego, David Tremaine, Maya Little-Sana and Jackie Pippin, the Faith To Go Podcast highlight themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your conversations throughout the week.
Activity Time: Advent Wreath
Supplies: Four candles (3 purple 1 pink or 3 dark blue 1 light blue), you can also add any greenery or decorations to decorate it as much as you want.
Every Sunday, you have the opportunity to light a candle and say a prayer (found here).
There are also some other free options for a coloring advent calendar found here.
Lastly, a Way of Love advent calendar found here.
Story Time: Gospel Reading and Reflection
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1) What is the Bible?
2) Where were the people in the Bible from?
3) What do you know about the Bible?
What is the Bible about?
4) When is a good time to read the Bible?
5) What is something you’ve learned from the Bible?
Dinner Time: Worry
Below is a prayer with which to start your meal and then discussion questions to explore this week’s topic with your family while you eat.
Prayer- Thank you for this time of waiting
to be still amid life’s busyness
to hear your call amid life’s noise
to prepare a way in this world for you.
Thank you for this time of preparing
to clear away the clutter
to make room in my crammed life
to receive the light of Christ that awakens me.
Thank you for this time of awakening
to notice that that you are with us
to hear your voice in the night
calling us to bring your light to people.
Thank you for your light in the world.
I want to walk as a child of your light.
Questions:
What does it feel like to worry?
Is there anything you feel worried about?
What helps you to let go of things that you are worried about?
How can you keep your heart open during this Advent season?
Why is it important to keep your heart open?
Bedtime: Reflections for Children at the End of the Day
During your bedtime routine, invite your children into a time of reflection about their day, maybe by saying, "Did you know that God really wants to know what happened in your day today, and that God is always listening whenever you need to tell God something?" Then continue with these questions:
1) What are some things that happened today that you want to tell God about?
2) What is one happy thing that happened today? What is one sad thing that happened today?
3) Did you see God or feel God with you when those things were happening? Where did you see or feel God when those things happened today?
4) Read to your children this week’s scripture selection, then ask the questions that follows.
Luke 21:25-36
Jesus said, “At the end, there will be signs in the moon and stars and the sun. The people of the earth will be confused and overpowered by the sea and the waves. People will be scared to death at what is happening to God’s world. Then the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and glory. When you see these things take place, stand up tall and watch what happens, because that means your redemption is close.”
Then he said this: “You know when the trees sprout leaves that means summer is near. When you see the signs I just told you about, you will know that the kingdom of God is near. I’m telling you, it’s beginning to happen even as I speak. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words I say to you will not.
“Watch out so your hearts are not weighted down with the worries of this life and that you are not caught unprepared like you’ve walked into a trap. Lots of people all over the world will be surprised by all of this. But not you. I want you to always be on alert, praying that you have strength enough to escape what will happen and that you can stand up straight before the Son of Man.”
Did the story remind you of anything that happened in your day today?
5) What are some things that you want to tell God that you are grateful for today?
Share some of your conversations in the comments below: