[Colette]

A quick search will bring up all sorts of online activities and things to do over the Advent period, but we thought you might like two sites that have previously provided word-prompts for the Photo Challenge mentioned previously on our post on the 31st October: Busted Halo ( https://bustedhalo.com/tag/advent) & the LEC Family ( http://lecfamily.org/advent/). One is from a Catholic and the other from a Methodist background. There lots of resources on each of these sites including Advent calendars, video presentations, and daily reflections – there’ll be something to suit most people. If you use it let us know what you think!

[Colette]

Paula Gooder is a popular author with our RRC members so it’s fitting to mention her The Meaning is in the Waiting. This short reflection on the theme of waiting has a a section for each week of the Advent season although each chapter is broken into six sections if you want to read something daily.. Following the weekly themes presented in the church year, it explores the stories of Abraham and Sarah, The Prophets, John the Baptist, and Mary. It also provides occasional historical background and, though short, it packs a lot into its hundred-odd pages. This is well worth a look if you fancy a slow-burner with something meaty to chew over. A good read!

[Colette]

We still have plenty of time before advent begins so how about creating your own ‘Do it yourself Advent Calendar’?

If you find the chocolate stuffed shop bought versions a little lightweight why not create your own? Create the calendar with numbered paper bags, 24 socks or the adventurous might create their own Matchbox Chest: This requires twenty-four match boxes and split-pin paper fasteners, glue and something to decorate the calendar. Use the split-pins to create drawer-knobs at one end of each match-box tray, glue the matchboxes into a four by six chest and decorate as desired. Now you just need to fill your gift – you could include: a Bible verse or thought for the day a craft activity, task or challenge.

If you do make one send us a pic!

[Colette]

The Religious Resources Centre has a lot of books to use with children during Advent to prepare them for the Christmas story.

Alison Mitchell & Catalania Echeverri; The Christmas Promise – a retelling of the Christmas story, is a beautifully illustrated version of the Christmas story told with a sense of fun and drama, it ends up focusing on the king that Jesus had come to be and the final panel flashes forward to his adult life, death and resurrection. This gives the full circle of the Christian faith in Christ – incarnation, salvation and resurrection all in one small book!

[Colette]

Some people enjoy a book to dip into during Advent. Haphazard by Starlight, an anthology, chosen by Janet Morley, features a poem for every day from the beginning of Advent, through Christmas, and up to the feast of Epiphany. With poets as varied as Rowan Williams, Sylvia Plath, Philip Larkin and William Blake there’s something for pretty much all tastes. (It gets a bonus point from former RRC staff member Tim for including “BC-AD” by UA Fanthorpe (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ua-fanthorpe) – the poem from which the book takes its name.) Alongside each poem is a short reflection from the author, followed by a prompt for our own reflection – a question to ponder, things to look out for during the day, and suggestions for reflective activities.

[Author]

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