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Celebrate Advent
Begins December 3, 1995
The period of Advent (four Sundays preceding Christmas) is a natural for families to celebrate at home. Traditionally, Advent marks the weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. For many UUs'the focus of celebration at Christmastime is more general. It includes celebration of light and warmth (the winter solstice) as well as the life of Jesus and the miracle of all birth.
There's a rhythm to celebrating Advent which helps all of us, children and parents alike, to slow down during these hectic, high energy days and renew our spirits. Try these ideas, or design your own celebration using the following format and the four things which are most meaningful to you and your family about this season.
Preparation
You might like to make an Advent wreath for this celebration. Special wire bases with candle holders are often available where Christmas greens are sold, or you can make your own by simply placing four candles in the inside circle of a standard evergreen wreath. After it is decorated, place the wreath and candles on a table where they will be undisturbed for the period of advent.
Choose a time each Sunday to gather around the Advent wreath. After dinner is a natural time-it's dark, and dessert could be enjoyed during the discussion or sharing. Rotate candle lighting and reading among family members if possible. Then introduce the theme with the introduction provided. Conclude by leading your family or group in discussion or reflection.
First Sunday: Focus on light and warmth
Candle lighter says: "Our lighted candle is glowing Making the darkness bright Shining on our family Gathered here tonight," and then lights the first candle.
Introduction: Since ancient times people all over the world have held celebrations this time of year. For early peoples this time was frightening. They didn't have the scientific understanding of the seasons which we have today. Ancient rites and rituals celebrated the victory of light over darkness. Later, light came to symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the presence of the divine. Gift-giving and merrymaking were part of these happy celebrations long before the birth of Christ. In fact, some scholars believe that the early Christians chose this time of year to honor the birth of Christ because of its association with these established celebrations.
Reflection: As you look at our candle tonight, imagine what it must have been like to have the berries and grasses around you wither and die, to sense the loss of sunlight as each day got shorter and shorter. Although today we have electricity for light and heat, we are still dependent on the earth for many things, and the earth is dependent on us for care and protection. Think of one thing you can give to the earth this Christmas season to help care for it (ie: getting the the recyling habit, using re-uout the winter basketball season.) Share your inner gifts with each other by taking turns lighting a candle while saying what the gift is. As each wish is exchanged the lighted candles illuminate the room, and the feeling of true Christmas love is shared.
Second Sunday: Focus on the miracle of birth
Candle Light says, "Our lighted candle is glowing, making our darkness bright; shining on our family gathered here tonight," and then lights two candles.
Introduction: The birth of Jesus is called a "miracle birth" by Christians who believe that Jesus was conceived not by humans but by God. Other "miracle birth" stories are told about Buddha and Confucius, two other great religious leaders of long ago. Most likely, these stories were told to help explain and strengthen the extraordinary significance and power of these leaders. For UUs, the symbolic truth of all these stories is that each birth -- every human being -- has extraordinary value and worth. From the birth of an ordinary human being can come extraordinary gifts for all human kind, perhaps a great leader. So it was for Jesus, for Buddha, for Martin Luther King, Jr., for Mother Theresa, maybe for you.
Reflection: Get out your old baby photo albums and children's baby books and share pictures and memories of the night(s) your children were born.
Third Sunday: Focus on peace
Candle Lighter says, "Our lighted candle is glowing, making the darkness bright; shining on our family gathered here tonight," and then lights three candles.
Introduction: This year our family is once again participating in the UUSC Guest at Your Table Program. One of Jesus's great teachings was that we should love our neighbor as ourselves and "do unto others" as would have have them do unto us. Unitarian Universalists have a long tradition of following these words, reaching out to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves, and trying to bring peace and justice all over the world. Through programs like the Guest at Your Table our family can do its share to fight poverty, lack of education, and poor health -- to name only a few of the things which prevent people from leading happy, fulfilling lives.
Reflection: As we look at our candles tonight, think about what the Golden Rule means to you. The work we do to help the homeless, and the money we give to combat injustice are very important. But what else can we do, do we do, in our daily living which makes us peace-makers? Our faith in the worth and dignity of every person and the power of love influences our thoughts and actions daily in many small ways -- leaving the world a more peaceful and loving place. (Share examples from your lives.)
Fourth Sunday: Focus on the family
(For this final ceremony you will need to gather enough candles so that each person can light one for every family member. A four-member family will need 16 candles. Birthday candles mounted in spools of thread work well. Place the candles around the room before you begin.)
Candle lighter says, "Our lighted candle is glowing, making the darkness bright; shining on our family gathered here tonight," and then lights all four candles.
Introduction: As mentioned on the first Sunday of Advent, the tradition of giving gifts was part of winter solstice celebrations long before the birth of Jesus. What kinds of gifts do you think people gave each other back then? (Share ideas.) Today Christmas is so commerical that our creativity around gift-giving is often stifled and gifts are not as personal as they might be. There is a certain joy in giving and receiving a gift which cannot be bought or packaged-a gift that comes from the heart.
Reflection: Tonight, we are going to have a special ceremony to brighten our lives with candlelight and special gifts for each other which we cannot buy or even make. (Darken the room except for the advent candles.) Take a moment to think about a special gift you would like to give to each member of the family which you cannot buy or make. Think of these gifts as "inner gifts," wishes for each other which come from our hearts. (Encourage ideas which recognize and honor the unique spirit within each person. For instance, for my daughter who loves sports, I might wish her good health and strength throughout the winter basketball season.) Share your inner gifts with each other by taking turns lighting a candle while saying what the gift is. As each wish is exchanged the lighted candles illuminate the room, and the feeling of true Christmas love is shared. |
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