Preparing for Bethlehem
Delight is the Bethlehem shepherds dancing a jig outside a cave. Delight is Mary watching God sleep in a feed trough. Delight is Joseph teaching the Creator of the world how to hold a hammer. ~ Max Lucado in The Applause of Heaven
So many ways to prepare for Advent!
Visit the Thrive website of the CRCNA for so many resources for Advent and Christmas! (primarily geared to Faith Formational activities as part of church worship and planning)
Visit our library at Water Street Church! So many great Advent and Christmas books are available. The library is open on Sundays and whenever the church building is open. If you are new to our church community, please connect with us for more information.
From the CRC Network: An Advent Devotion Series:
https://network.crcna.org/biblical-justice/you-shall-call-his-name-jesus-advent-devotion-series
From the Faith Formation Ministries CRCNA Network: Advent Ideas for Families:
https://network.crcna.org/faith-nurture/two-super-simple-advent-ideas-families
Create the Jesse Tree: God’s Big Advent Story
From Ministry to Children.com:
Free age-appropriate printable Christmas Worksheets for Kids
Amid the Chaos and the Clutter: Finding joy amidst the chaos of everyday life:
Better Bible Teachers:
“Ridiculously Interesting Christmas Lessons Songs, Activities and Other Cool Stuff“
Five really great Christmas stories that kids will actually listen to
From Focus on the Family: What other parents have done to help their families celebrate the true Christmas:
By Kim Sorgius: Our Four Favorite Ideas for a Christ-centered Christmas:
From the CRCNA website: An intergenerational way to start off the Christmas season. Walk the illuminated Advent path and celebrate the Advent promises and Christ’s birth.
The 4 weeks of Advent: each week features a video commentary about a work of art inspired by Scripture. From Loyola Press. Catholic Resources for Advent.
Advent Art inspired by Scripture