We are continuing to observe Extended Advent at St. Gabriel’s, and Sunday December 12th is the beginning of Extended Advent Week 6. Here is our Advent Family Activity Calendar, our prayers for families, and our traditional prayers for the sixth week of Extended Advent.
Family Advent Activity Calendar for December 12-18, 2021
Sun. Dec. 12th Today is the 6th Sun. of Advent. Gather with your family around the Advent wreath and light 5 purple candles and the pink one. Afterwards, cut a star out of white, yellow, or gold paper and hang it somewhere to remember the Star of Bethlehem.
Mon. Dec. 13th Have you thought of how you could thank your teachers this holiday season? A handwritten letter of appreciation would be the best gift you could give.
Tues. Dec. 14th Another secret elf good deed day! Pick another person in your family and do something nice for them without them knowing who did it. Jesus will bless your kindness.
Wed. Dec. 15th Have you eaten a candy cane yet? Some say the shape is to remind us of Joseph’s or the shepherds’ crooks they carried in the fields or on journeys but hold the candy cane by the stem hanging down and it forms a letter. What important word starts with that letter that is important in Advent and always?
Thu. Dec. 16th Bundle up and take a walk tonight with your grownups and look at the festive lights decorating your neighborhood. When you look at the lights, remember that Jesus is the light of the world.
Fri. Dec. 17th What is your favorite Christmas carol? Practice it so you remember the words. Suggest a sing-along with your family. (Ephesians 5:19)
Sat. Dec. 18th Tonight there is a full moon- go outside and look at it. Do you think it will ever snow?
Extended Advent Prayers for Families with Children:
6th Sunday of Advent – The Morning Star 12/12/21
(Light 5 purple candles and the pink candle)
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!
Dear God,
When I see the stars in the sky,
and the deep blue ocean,
and the tall, green trees,
and bees in the flowers,
I know you gave us a gift
and you need us to care for it.
Show me how.
We are waiting. Amen.
WAYS TO HELP Our Earth:
- Keep doing all the things you already do like recycling, avoiding one-use serving ware and food storage, driving less/walking more, planting low watering plants in your yard, conserving water and electricity, and so on.
- Consider moving from meat and dairy-based foods to plant-based foods 3-5 days a week.
- As an adult avoid buying cheap clothing and fast fashion and try to invest in higher quality pieces. Pass on outgrown children’s clothing to another family and accept the same for your child.
- Take care with the use of fire in the forest and grasslands.
- Read out loud and discuss a Bible passage about caring for the earth every day this week as a family:
- Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:25; Genesis 8:22; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 63:1-11; Isaiah 45:18. Prayer in BCP page 827.
Extended Advent Traditional Prayers:
6th Sunday of Advent – The Morning Star 12/12/21
(Light 5 purple candles and the pink candle)
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 Malachi the prophet:
“See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 4:1-3)
Candle is lit while All sing:
O come, thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Lord Jesus Christ, in your resurrection you appeared as the Morning Star that knows no setting: Dawn upon the darkness of the human heart so that the deathly orders of this world may be overcome and your whole creation made new; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
WAYS TO HELP Our Earth:
- Keep doing all the things you already do like recycling, avoiding one-use serving ware and food storage, driving less/walking more, planting low watering plants in your yard, conserving water and electricity, and so on.
- Consider moving from meat and dairy-based foods to plant-based foods 3-5 days a week.
- Avoid buying cheap clothing and fast fashion and try to invest in higher quality pieces or shop in thrift stores. Pass on outgrown children’s clothing to another family and accept the same for your child.
- Take care with the use of fire in the forest and grasslands.
- Read out loud and discuss a Bible passage about caring for the earth every day this week as a family:
Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:25; Genesis 8:22; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 63:1-11; Isaiah 45:18. Prayer in BCP page 827.
image from farm4.staticflickr.com
