Ministry Ideas for Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Teens, Families, and Parishes

by Claussen, Janet

• ISBN13: 9780884898610
• ISBN10: 088489861X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: St Marys Pr

Summary

For many people, the secular preparation time for Christmas takes precedence over the spiritual meaning of the season. Once Christmas arrives, the spiritual significance is lost amid the boxes and ribbons. Most Catholics don't realize that the season extends all the way through Epiphany to the Baptism of Our Lord. For the seven weeks of Advent and Christmas, our collective psyches are caught between the magic of the holidays and the mystery of the Incarnation. Ministry Ideas for Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Teens, Families, and Parishes addresses that magic and mystery. It is designed to help teens, their families, and parishes acknowledge the mixed messages of the season while making it a meaningful time for remembering who we are and whose we are. Ministry Ideas for Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Teens, Families, and Parishes provides strategies and ideas for greater understanding of, participation in, and celebration of the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 9
First Sunday of Advent
Great Expectations: A Session on the Theme of Waiting	p. 13
Advent Wreath Prayer Service: Creating, Blessing, and Praying the Advent Wreath	p. 17
Second Sunday of Advent
Preparing the Way: A Session on Preparing for the Incarnation	p. 23
Prepare the Way: An Advent Play	p. 29
Third Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist, Prophet for All Ages: A Session for Exploring the Biblical Narratives	p. 32
From Darkness to Light: A Reconciliation Prayer Service	p. 37
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Nativity Stories-the Gospel Truth: A Session to Examine the Infancy Narratives	p. 42
O Antiphons: An Art Project	p. 48
Christmas
Blessing the Christmas Tree, Blessing the Creche	p. 53
Fun and Games for Families	p. 59
New Year's
Feast of the Holy Family: The Best Christmas Scavenger Hunt Ever Recorded	p. 66
Feast of the Holy Family: A Take-Home Resource	p. 68
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: World Day of Peace Prayer Service	p. 70
Epiphany
Revelation, Radiance, Remembrance: A Session to Explore the Biblical Story of the Magi	p. 75
In Search of the Star: A Guided Reflection	p. 81
Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
You Are My Beloved Child: A Session for Parents and Teens	p. 84
Acknowledgments	p. 92
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