The Advent Tree actually began our congregation's foray into providing "faith kits" for families with children last Advent. This was before we had received, or even applied for, the Mariner's Family Ministry Grant through the PC(USA). The reactions were so positive that we sought out the grant to continue such actions throughout the liturgical year. This year we will be adding to the practice (more on that in a future post) along with providing more permanent instructions of the use of the Advent Tree to the families who received theirs last year.
Here are the basics. As a form of Advent Calendar, each family was provided a prelit tabletop Christmas tree; 25 ornaments of various shape, type, and color; a permanent marker; and a variety of craft supplies. Also included in this kit was a description of the faith practice, ways to use it in the family, and a list of the days of Advent along with a Scripture reference. This is not just a Christmas tree that families decorate in December. Instead, each day the families use their time together to create an ornament that shows a name or descriptor of Jesus. All of these are taken from Scripture, one for each day of Advent. Together, families are invited to learn more about Christ throughout the season of Advent. Why would Jesus be given this name? What about Jesus caused others to describe him in this way?
By Christmas Day, each family had a small tree with 25 names of Jesus as ornaments and had gotten to know the person of Christ that much deeper.
Here are the basics. As a form of Advent Calendar, each family was provided a prelit tabletop Christmas tree; 25 ornaments of various shape, type, and color; a permanent marker; and a variety of craft supplies. Also included in this kit was a description of the faith practice, ways to use it in the family, and a list of the days of Advent along with a Scripture reference. This is not just a Christmas tree that families decorate in December. Instead, each day the families use their time together to create an ornament that shows a name or descriptor of Jesus. All of these are taken from Scripture, one for each day of Advent. Together, families are invited to learn more about Christ throughout the season of Advent. Why would Jesus be given this name? What about Jesus caused others to describe him in this way?
By Christmas Day, each family had a small tree with 25 names of Jesus as ornaments and had gotten to know the person of Christ that much deeper.
advent_tree_beginning_instructions.pdf |