Teacher/Teaching Tips

December 2008

 Advent Awareness

 When you think of Advent do you envision grand and formal cathedrals? Advent can also be celebrated with your adult group, and it can help recapture the real significance of Christmas.

 Advent is the four weeks, including the four Sundays before Christmas Day. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus which means “coming”. It is a time of expectation remembering Christ’s coming to earth as a baby in Bethlehem. With our hectic pace of life, and the commercialization of Christmas, we must be intentional about remembering why we celebrate Christmas.

 Traditional ideas for Advent you can do with your group:

• Decorate with evergreens which remind us of the ever-living nature of Jesus. Evergreen trees, holly, garlands—all serve as reminders that our Savior is alive.
• An Advent wreath is often made of evergreens with four candles in the wreath, and one candle in the center. One candle is lit the first Sunday of Advent (November 30 this year), and a new candle is lighted on each of the Sundays of Advent, until the fourth Sunday all four candles in the wreath are lit. On Christmas Eve the candle in the center is lit, representing Jesus, the Light of the world.
• There are many kinds of nativity scenes. These are great visual reminders of the events of the first Christmas. Consider waiting to add the baby Jesus until Christmas Eve.
• Look up and share the meaning of Christmas Hymns and Carols on the internet as a way to appreciate these songs celebrating the birth of Jesus.

 Some new ideas for Advent:

• Have a baby shower for Jesus by asking class members to buy gifts to bless someone in your community, a mission hospital, abuse center, etc.
• Create modern banners or PowerPoint slideshows that express the anticipation and joy of Advent.
• Forgo the Christmas tree lot and the artificial greenery, and decorate with evergreens trimmed for those in your community who are unable to do yard work themselves.

Slow down….expect…celebrate, and have a wonderful Advent season!

Tags: Family & Parenting, sunday school, training

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