Advent & Christmas Family Activities

As we come to the end of a historical 2020, the new church year begins with Advent on November 29.  The season of Advent reminds us to take time to stop, pause, reflect and prepare for the gift of God’s love in the coming of Jesus. During this pandemic we have needed to stop our normal way of living, have had many opportunities to pause and reflect on what we is most important in our lives and to prepare to celebrate Christmas in a new way.  One tradition that can help us spiritually prepare for Christmas is the lighting of a candle on the Advent wreath.  This can be a reminder that we are called to be a light to others.

The following family and personal resources can be helpful as we begin our Advent/Christmas preparation.  These resources can be found at:  
 

• https://loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/about-advent/
• https://thekidsbulletin.com/  (includes activities that go along with the Sunday Gospel)

Faith-based Activities

• Light a candle of your Advent wreath each week and say a prayer.
• Make a paper chain and write the name of people you want to pray for as you take off a piece of the chain each day of Advent.
• Use an Advent calendar and open a window each day. Try to do what is suggested.

Celebrate the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception on December 8 

• Talk about the meaning of the feast and why it is a Holy Day.
• Celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.  How is this feast celebrated?
• Read one story from the Bible each day.
• Read the Christmas story from the Bible.
• Hang up your stocking on December 5 for St. Nick’s feast day on December 6.
• Put one piece of your Nativity set out each day and use it to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.
• Make and decorate a Birthday cake for Jesus.
• Attend or watch a live stream Christmas Mass.

• Shop for a gift card for Good Shepherd’s Christmas Gift Giving. Check the parish website for suggestions.
• Bring a food item for “Shepherd’s Share” blue bins located at the church entrances.
• Bring some items of clothing to Good Shepherd for the St. Vincent de Paul collection.
• Send cards to service people thanking them for their service.
• Make cards for people in nursing homes.
• Bake cookies and give them to your neighbors.
• Clean up your yard or your neighbor’s yard.

• Decorate your tree as a family and talk about special ornaments.
• Make an ornament that depicts your family or make one for each member of your family.
• String a popcorn garland and put it on your tree.
• Make a paper garland to hang up in your house.
• Decorate your windows with snow spray or make paper snowflakes.
• Make a Christmas craft.
• Paint pinecones to make a centerpiece for your table.
• Make some birdfeeders by spreading peanut butter and birdseed on pinecones.

• Cut down or pick out a Christmas tree for your home. Recycle it after Christmas.
• Put on your PJs, hop in your car and drive around looking at Christmas lights.
• Visit a live Nativity scene.
• Make luminaries and put them along the walkway to your home.

• Have everyone Google a country to see how they celebrate Christmas and share your findings.
• Unwrap and read a new Christmas book.
• Have a family story night with hot chocolate and read your favorite Christmas stories.
• Have each family member finish this sentence:  “To me, Christmas means…”
• Help wrap Christmas gifts for your grandparents or other relatives.
• Make popcorn and watch some old Christmas movies.
• Bring your pillow and blanket to the family room and watch Christmas cartoons.
• Have a green and red scavenger hunt to find those things around the house.
• Play Christmas music while eating homemade cookies.
• Have a game night and play board games.
• Do a puzzle together.
• Talk about your favorite vacations.
• Have a summertime picnic supper at home.