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 Prophets
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 has ever known a prophet?
I wonder if there is someone in your life who has helped you know the best way forward?
I wonder how you could be a prophet?
I wonder where you noticed God at work in the world today?
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 13:24-37 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus said, “One day soon the sun will go dark, the moonlight will be turned off, the stars will fall out of the sky, and the heavens will shake. Then the Son of Man will come through the clouds with power and glory. And he will send his angels to every corner of the earth to gather up his people. The fig tree has this lesson to teach us: When there is a tiny leaf, you can tell that summer is coming. Just like that leaf, when you see the signs in the heavens, you’ll know the Son of Man is close. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words won’t. No one knows when this will happen -- not the angels, not even me. Only the Father. So make sure you stay awake, because you don’t know when this will happen either. If you were going on a trip, you’d put someone in charge to watch your house. That’s what you need to do. Keep watch, because you don’t want to be surprised or asleep when he comes. STAY AWAKE.”
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:
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