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 Magi
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
I wonder if anyone in this family has ever adored a child?
I wonder if you have ever given gifts?
I wonder if you have ever received a special gift and what it was like?
I wonder if you remember any stories about people being born, maybe people you love?
I wonder if you can find someone to tell those stories to?
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 1:26-38 (God’s Word, My Voice)
God sent an angel named Gabriel with a message for a young woman named Mary in Nazareth. She was engaged to Joseph, who was a descendant of King David.
Here was the message, “Greetings from God himself, Mary. You are special in God’s eyes. And God holds you close to his heart.” Mary couldn’t figure out what was going on and what the angel could possibly mean by that. Gabriel told her not to be afraid, that God had only good things in mind. “Here is the plan, Mary. You will conceive a baby boy and name him Jesus when he’s born. He will be great, the Son of the Most Hight, and he will reign over God’s people like King David did, but his kingdom will never end.”
Mary said, “But I’m not married. Why would you choose me to be Jesus’ mother?”
Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will make this happen, and you will be surrounded by God’s power as if it were incense. Your child will be holy. He will be called the Son of God. And guess what else? Your older cousin Elizabeth, who’s never been able to have children, is already six months pregnant. So you see, nothing is impossible with God.”
Then Mary said, “Okay. I am willing to work with God on this plan. I trust that God can do what he says he will do.” And then the angel left her alone to think about things.
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: