Ready and waiting
Children's Activity
Object:
When Advent begins, everybody starts talking about Christmas and getting ready. As the anticipation builds, it is hard for children to be patient. Waiting is hard! Explain that there's a reason we wait. We have to get ready for Christmas and prepare ourselves for what Christmas is really all about. Find ways to help your family wait. Try to go slowly over the next three weeks; avoid the temptation to put up all the decorations right now.
Here are some ways you can slow your pace and build to the celebration on Christmas.
1) Put up an Advent wreath. There are four candles, and a new candle is lit for each Sunday of the four weeks.
2) Find or purchase an Advent calendar. There will be a special thought for each day -- a new message that will help the children get ready for Christmas.
3) Set up a nativity scene in your home, but don't put any figures in it but the animals. Mary and Joseph don't arrive until Christmas Eve, of course, so put them in a different part of your house. Each day, move Mary and Joseph closer to the stable. Share with your children that they are on a journey for the next 23 days, just like Mary and Joseph were on a journey. On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph can move into the stable. The shepherds can arrive then too. Then, bring out the baby Jesus late that night or on Christmas day.
Here are some ways you can slow your pace and build to the celebration on Christmas.
1) Put up an Advent wreath. There are four candles, and a new candle is lit for each Sunday of the four weeks.
2) Find or purchase an Advent calendar. There will be a special thought for each day -- a new message that will help the children get ready for Christmas.
3) Set up a nativity scene in your home, but don't put any figures in it but the animals. Mary and Joseph don't arrive until Christmas Eve, of course, so put them in a different part of your house. Each day, move Mary and Joseph closer to the stable. Share with your children that they are on a journey for the next 23 days, just like Mary and Joseph were on a journey. On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph can move into the stable. The shepherds can arrive then too. Then, bring out the baby Jesus late that night or on Christmas day.
