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 Holy Family
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 your family who went on a great journey?
I wonder if you or your family have ever gone on a trip together?
I wonder if anyone helped you while you traveled?
I wonder how we could help others 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.
Mark 1:1-8 (God’s Word, My Voice)
This is the beginning of the story of the Good News in Jesus, who is the Son of God.
Just as it was written in the book of the prophet Isaiah, a voice was in the desert crying, and preparing the way of the Lord. John the baptizer appeared in the desert, shouting to people that they needed to turn their lives around and be made clean. People from all over were coming to see him, and be baptized by him, confessing their sinfulness. John used to wear camel’s hair for clothes, and he would eat grasshoppers and wild honey.
“I’m nobody, “ he would say. “I’m just here to tell you that someone more powerful is coming. And I’ve been baptizing you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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: