Advent Ideas & Resources for Families

As we begin the season of Advent, we prepare for the birth of the baby Jesus.  There are lots of lovely Advent resources available for families to use during this joyful time:

• Watch this short video by Busted Halo about the meaning of Advent
• Set up a Nativity in a prominent place in your home.  Ask your children to place a piece of straw in the manger every time they do something kind/make a little sacrifice until Christmas when they
  place Baby Jesus in the manger on the straw.
• Make an Advent wreath for your door.  Use some fresh greenery from either your local florist or find some on a walk!
• Take part in the Our Lady of Lourdes ‘Travelling Crib‘ or make your own at home and use our liturgy
• Come and look at our Advent Box Calendar which will be set up outside the church
• Create a reverse Advent calendar – instead of receiving a gift, DONATE an item each day, perhaps a toy or book you no longer need, to take to the charity shop
• Come to our Advent Service on 3rd December at 6pm and then listen to Advent inspired music
• Go on an interactive journey with the donkey
• Take a Virtual Art Tour looking at works of art inspired by Advent and Christmas
• Make a banner or poster to put up in your window telling people about Advent
• How many names or titles for Jesus can you find in the Advent readings e.g. Emmanuel, Counsellor, Prince of Peace, etc
• As you look at the empty crib, ask yourself ‘Who are you expecting?’
• Make an Advent alphabet that is added to over the days of December, eg A is for Angel, B is for Bethlehem, C is for crib, D is for Donkey etc
• Make an acrostic poem about one of the people of Advent, eg Isaiah, John the Baptist, Joseph, Mary or Jesus
• Be an Advent Angel – this works like a Secret Santa, but instead of
  drawing names for gifts to give friends or family, Advent Angels involves choosing a friend or family member you’ll commit to
  pray for or do acts of kindness for throughout Advent. You could include your extended family, godparents etc.
• Find craft templates and an interactive Advent Calendar on the CAFOD website
• Find Advent resources including liturgy, craft and calendars on Mission Together website
• Have a look at Celebrate’s Advent Family Pack for more ideas

We’d love to see how you get on so don’t forget to post a picture on our Socials (Facebook & Instagram) or email them to comms@catholicchurchharpenden.org.uk