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Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry NEWSLETTER

Advent is a time making handmade ornaments, going Storybook Bible which is a beautiful of waiting and we out to see the lights and and powerful children’s picture book need to use this donating a toy to a Christmas family bible in which every story points to appeal. Many of these things were Christ. The Jesus Storybook Bible time of waiting activities that we would probably Advent reading plan covers 21 stories to prepare for have done anyway but the most of the Old Testament and 3 stories Christmas. It important part of our Advent journey from the New Testament, so that is so easy to fast forward was the stopping and appreciating by the time we get to Christmas through Advent and go straight our time together and being thankful. Day, we’re reading about the birth to Christmas but if we do that we December is such a busy time of year of Jesus. It’s a lot like the Jesse are missing out! Our newsletter is and it can feel like it is whizzing past, Tree Advent which tells the story focusing on Advent. Julie Ryan, so taking a few minutes out of each of God’s plan for salvation through day to stop the – Jesse is co-owner of The Bookwell in Belfast and be thankful were much needed the father of David and ancestor of shares how she celebrates Advent and appreciated. Jesus. –‘A shoot will come up from with her husband Richard and their the stump of Jesse; from his roots a We have 2 boys now, Jack is 6 and two boys Jack and Ben. branch will bear fruit’. Isaiah 11:1 Ben is 4 and we have carried on celebrating our handmade family Not every activity works and Advent. We’ve tailored it each year sometimes (most times) our family Handmade adding in new discussions go way over the boy’s and different heads – (especially Ben who never Family activities to help seems to pay attention), but it’s about the boys learn spending time together as a family, more about taking the time to enjoy each other Advent Jesus and caring at the busy time of year. And if even Way back in 2013 Jack celebrated his about the world the smallest crumb of Jesus’ message first Christmas when he was only 10 around them in sticks with the boys and helps to months old. We wanted ways that they can hopefully guide them, I will be happy, for as it to make his understand. Over the years I have says in Proverbs ‘Direct your children first Christmas found a few family Advent books onto the right path, and when they special and help (owning a bookshop has its benefits!) are older, they will not leave it.’ him learn about which have lots of fantastic ideas Proverbs 22:6 and devotionals for us to do as well and experience Some of the books that I would as keeping some of our favourite the love of God recommend are Live Life, Love Advent activities that we love to do each year but I wasn’t sure from the , Wild like having an indoor picnic under the what to do. Advent by Rachel Summers, A Jesus , donating food to the So I did a bit of looking around online Christmas by Barbara Reaoch and food back or shelter, and Richard’s and found a few fantastic posts on The 25 days of Christmas by James favourite which is to ‘hunt the wise Pinterest that had Merritt which we used last year which man’, where he hides a wise man from ideas for all the family to do. I took had great activities but is aimed the nativity set and the boys have to a few ideas from each of the blogs at older children than ours, but we run around the house trying to and put some more of my own in and managed to tweak the discussions find him. put them up in a homemade advent to make it easier for the boys. Our calendar made of little envelopes As the boys have gotten older we are website https://www.thebookwell. of folded paper, paperclips and able to talk more about the meaning co.uk/ has all these books and more string – no expense spared!! We did behind each activity and hopefully for you to have a look at with regards things like having an indoor snowball help them to understand the to family Advent books available. fight (in the bath with foaming importance of Jesus and that there Or have a look too at some blogs or soap – Jack wasn’t that impressed), is more to Christmas than presents Instagram posts online and make up reading stories about the birth of and Santa. For the last few years your own handmade advent to suit Jesus, watching a Christmas movie, we’ve been reading from the Jesus your family needs.

INCORPORATING SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NETWORK Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry | ADVENT NEWSLETTER

Advent Each week in Week One Week Three Advent we light Patriarchs – Sarah and Abraham a candle on the Advent Use a tent as a reminder of all those Use a Camel Hair Coat as a symbol of that is normally in the Old Testament who listened to John the Baptist who helped people have a new start with God, baptising at the front of and trusted God, going on a journey them in the river. John also pointed Church. to obey God. We also go on journey of people to Jesus. We are also followers faith to get to know God. This happens of Jesus who are looking for signs of every year but do we know the Week Two his coming. meaning behind the candles we light? Prophets – Isaiah and Jeremiah Spiritual Child have given some simple Week Four ideas to share the meaning of each Use a scroll to remind us of all the Mary of the candles. http://spiritualchild. prophets, including Isaiah and Use a Rose as a reminder of the love co.uk/adventprayers.html. Could you Jeremiah who listened to God’s Mary had for her son. Mary was willing have a separate for message, and then told others to say yes to God. When God asked the children to explore? This could be all about it. They helped people her to be the Mother of Jesus she said made from felt so the flames ‘stick’ understand the meaning of God’s yes. May we be willing to say yes to on, or use LED lights to make sure it is word and told their friends and God when he asks us to do something. safe. Each week there are prayers and symbols to show the meaning of the neighbours God’s promises for the /Day – Jesus candles. You can download 3 different future. We need to listen for the voice versions of the prayers, choose your of God, help people to understand the The final candle is a reminder that favourite and enjoy exploring meaning of God’s word, and share Jesus is here! We welcome Jesus as Advent together. his promises. we celebrate Christmas.

Week 3 OR Joy Week 1 Angels brought joy throughout the Hope nativity story. We are praying for Hope everyone to experience the beauty of Use a Globe to represent hope. Hope joy and ask that those who may not be for everyone, for all the nations, for experiencing it will see a hint of joy. all those who have lost hope and those who are hopeful in the presence Week 4 Peace of God. We are asking that our hope Love will be fixed on God. We are praying for the love that we Week 2 experience, and for the love that Peace others may be looking for. We are Joy asking God to help us show love Use a dove as a symbol of peace. We to one another. Use a heart as a are praying for peace for everyone, reminder of God’s love. especially those in conflict situations. Love We are asking God to give them a sign Christmas Eve/Day of his peace. The final candle allows us to rejoice that Jesus is born. Jesus the hope, peace, joy and love of the world is now here! CHRIST

INCORPORATING SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NETWORK Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry | ADVENT NEWSLETTER

Advent Chrismons Christmas Craft Ideas Songs For a brilliant selection of free downloadable Advent colouring pages Suggestions: be sure to check out • Born is the King – Hillsong Kids https://ministry-to-children.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= advent-coloring-book/ Qf6OoAZbAQg&list=OLAK5uy_ld6aC SBQZk2xPznYLzbslgG7o611o_6n4) Full of Joy and excitement a song These are a beautiful way of that children can easily pick up and celebrating the symbols of Christmas. join in with. Chrismons are symbols from the • Oh What a Glorious Night – Side Christmas Story. They are plain white Walk Prophets or white and silver. These decorations can be put on Christmas Trees. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v =6aGLV5CfoTU For patterns and ideas see https://www.whychristmas.com/ A very catchy song that celebrates customs/chrismons.shtml. These the glorious night Jesus was born. would be a simple craft to do during a • He Chose the Shepherds – Friends busy time for Sunday School. and Heroes https:/ www.youtube.com/watch? v=McaM1YMXOyE&t=27s The significance of the shepherds is often overlooked – this beautifully There are illustrated song shows the colouring pages for each day in importance of their role in the story Advent and are all based around the and how God shared the Good News Christmas Story and the promises of to the shepherds first. the nativity. As usual Flame Creative Ministry has an amazing collection of Advent ideas including playdough mats (a firm favourite) as well some great craft ideas and reflective colouring pages. http://flamecreativekids.blogspot. Blackburn Diocese Board of com/p/25-advent-activities.html Religious Education produce resources for families to engage with seasonal worship. For Advent they have created two sheets of activities for families to complete called Outdoor Christmas. These are free to download and are full of ideas for families to engage with Advent in a fun way. To download the resources go to their website (https://www.bdeducation.org.uk/ product/outdoor-christmas/)

INCORPORATING SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NETWORK Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry | ADVENT NEWSLETTER

presents are wrapped and ready to All Age Talk go. I spent so much money making Posada Matthew 1:18-23 sure everyone has got an amazing Posada – have you considered doing focusing on verse 23 present and they need to be wrapped Posada in your parish? Mary and perfectly! Lay the wrapping paper Resources Needed: Joseph (and the donkey if you wish) over the nativity. are introduced to the congregation Nativity Set, Christmas jumper, Now we are ready to celebrate on and travel around wrapping paper, tub of sweets, party Christmas – we have the presents, families in the parish until Christmas invitation, Christmas Decorations. the food, the clothes, the party and Eve where they are placed in the Explain that you are really looking most importantly the reason we stable. This activity allows Mary and forward to Christmas and that you are celebrating – the Birth of Jesus. Joseph to travel to Bethlehem and cannot wait to celebrate the birth But wait a minute! Where has the engages families in their journey as of Jesus – after all that’s what nativity gone? That’s the reason well. You can print off a diary for Christmas is all about. Bring out we are celebrating but I can’t find Mary and Joseph to take with them your nativity set and show various it because of everything else we that families complete to show what parts of it and again emphasise how have added to Christmas! Rummage they have been up to or you could much you are looking forward to through til you can get the Nativity. set up a Facebook group to share celebrating the Birth of Jesus. Set We need to make sure we do not the adventure. Church Army have the Nativity where people will be able get so caught up in the trappings produced a guide and a full set of to see it. of Christmas that we forget why we resources which can be found on their website: https://churcharmy. Before we celebrate Christmas we are celebrating! It is not about the org/Groups/330097/Church_Army/ need to prepare – that’s what Advent food, clothes etc – they are fun but web/What_we_do/Resources/ is all about – preparation. First I have they cannot take over Christmas! Posada/Posada.aspx to have the best Christmas Jumper. Make sure we remember the reason I like this one because it lights up we have Christmas and be sure to (or whatever special feature it has) keep it in our minds as we celebrate Big up the importance of wearing Christmas. One of the names given fancy or new clothes. Its all part of to Jesus is Immanuel which means Christmas. Set your jumper on-top ‘God with us’. We need to focus of the nativity. on the real reason we celebrate Christmas – God being with us! So now we have clothes sorted we need to get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Next we need to think Engage of all the food we have to get. Turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes Worship etc. My favourite part is the sweets. https://engageworship.org/ The chocolate ones that you only ideas?bible%5Bbook%5D= get once a year. Delicious. Put the 0&season%5B%5D=1&function sweets in front of the nativity. Open=&themeOpen=& Next up is all the Christmas parties mediatypeOpen=&seasonOpen= we get to go to. Lots of celebrations. Place a few invites on top of the Engage Worship is a website jam nativity. packed with ideas for all age worship. It includes videos, dramas, poems, Then we have to decorate the PowerPoints, and prayer ideas. Christmas Tree! All the decorations You need to register an account www.cm.ireland.anglican.org need to be just right! The tree needs but this will give you free access to churchofirelandchildrensministry to be perfect with the shiniest star thousands of resources. on top! Put the decorations on top of You will get sent email updates with [email protected] the nativity. seasonal material or you can use the Finally say I need to make sure all the search function.

INCORPORATING SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NETWORK