This month, in the spirit of rest and quiet anticipation in Advent, we are keeping the resources simple for these four weeks of the church season. Each week's post will focus on one of the four weekly Advent themes of Hope (Advent 1), Peace (Advent 2), Joy (Advent 3), and Love (Advent 4), and include the podcast, the weekly liturgy for families with the readings, and one featured resource (either a video, article, or dinner discussion). We hope you enjoy, and that you take the opportunity this Advent season to slow into the quiet expectation of God's emergence into our lives.
Hosted by the Faith To Go team in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar, and joined the each week by a special guest, the Faith To Go Podcast highlights themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your faith discussions and reflections throughout the week.
Story Time: The Shepherds
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
I wonder if there is anyone in this family who has ever heard or seen mysterious things?
I wonder if you have ever felt like God was talking to you through a messenger?
I wonder what other ways we hear God’s messages to us!
I wonder if you noticed anything God was doing this week?
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.
John 1:6-8, 19-28 (God’s Word, My Voice)
John was a man sent by God to testify to the light, so that everyone would believe through him. He himself wasn’t the light, but he pointed to the light. Some people came by to ask John if he was the Messiah. He told them he was not.
“Well, then, who are you? Are you Elijah?”
“No,” said John.
“Are you the prophet?”
“No,” said John.
“We need to know who you are so we have an answer for those who sent us here to ask you.”
John said, “I am the voice crying in the desert that the prophet Isaiah talked about.” The people wanted to know why he was baptizing if he wasn’t the Messiah. John explained that he baptized with water. And that soon, someone much more important would be here.
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: