We are continuing to observe Extended Advent at St. Gabriel’s, and Sunday December 5th is the beginning of Extended Advent Week 5. Here is our Advent Family Activity Calendar, our prayers for families, and our traditional prayers for the fifth week of Extended Advent.
Family Advent Activity Calendar for December 5-12, 2021
Sun. Dec. 5th Today is the 5th Sun. of Advent. Gather with your family around the Advent wreath and light 5 purple candles and say the prayers for week 5. Make sure Jesus has the key to unlock your heart and fill it with love!
Mon. Dec. 6th Today is St. Nicholas Day. Did you know Santa Claus was a saint? He was the Bishop of Myra in the year 342 and is the patron saint of children. Remember him by making a gift for someone you love today.
Tues. Dec. 7th Are you remembering to move the Wise Ones closer to your Nativity set every day? They have such a long way to go yet! Do you remember the 3 gifts they were carrying to baby Jesus?
Wed. Dec. 8th Secret elf good deed day! Secretly choose a family member to do something nice for. Don’t tell- for now it’s just between you and God.
Thu. Dec. 9th Look up a world map on the computer or atlas. Ask your grownup to show you a place where there is war or suffering. ray for their safety, comfort, and peace on earth.
Fri. Dec. 10th Ask a grownup to help you make each of you a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane stirrer. Yum!
Sat. Dec. 11th Spread a blanket next to your Christmas tree and have a picnic dinner next to it. After dinner turn off all the lights except for on the tree and have each family member read John 8:12 with a flashlight.
Advent Prayers for Families with Children
5th Sunday of Advent – Key of David
(Light 5 purple candles.)
We are in the time
when our nights are growing longer,
and our days are getting short.
Yes, it can seem cold and dark.
But–when we light the candles
nestled in the green branches,
we see light shining through the darkness
and we remember what God promised us:
Jesus is coming!
God, help us to remember
that for a medical emergency,
or a job loss, or just bad luck,
we could be in other people’s shoes.
God, please unlock my heart
and come to the aid of those who need me.
We are waiting. Amen.
WAYS TO HELP The Homeless and the Hungry:
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- Support needy families in the Beaverton School District through The Gabriel Center by donating clothing anytime; and instant food, laundry detergent pods, school supplies, or whatever is requested each month.
- Drop off non-perishable food to an Oregon Food Bank partner Rock Creek Church by Westview High School at 4470 NW 185TH Ave. Portland, OR 97229 in their drop-off box.
- Keep supplies like clean socks, water bottles, non-perishable snacks, and warm gloves in your car to give to people on highway ramps and in parking lot entries.re
- Support eviction moratoriums during the pandemic.
- Prayer in BCP for the Poor and Neglected on page 826.
Advent Prayers for Adults: 5th Sunday of Advent– Key of David
(Light 5 purple candles)
Leader: As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs–light and green branches–and remember God’s promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“I will commit your authority to his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open.” (Isaiah 22:21b-23)
Candle is lit while All sing:
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Gracious God, your Son Jesus Christ opened wide the gate of heaven, making plain the way that leads to eternal joy: Grant that we who have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life may strive courageously for the freedom and peace of the world; through your Son, Jesus Christ,
teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Eternal God, your Word of wisdom goes forth and does not return empty: Grant us such knowledge and love of you that we may perceive your presence in all creation and every creature; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, now and forever. Amen.
