Happy Advent! I admit this is one of my favorite seasons! I love the joy, hope and love that comes with the season and what I have learned is it is not about the perfect gift for every person on your list. It is about the time we spend together with the ones we love. Those are the memories my kids talk about today too! Not the gifts they got but the time we spent together. My adult kids still want to ride around the tacky light tour in the minivan in pjs with hot chocolate and popcorn; they talk about the fights over whose turn it is to light the advent wreath; we laugh about the time one of my kids decided to add their own face to the angel atop of our tree; we share stories as we place the many ornaments on the tree including the BMW emblem I was gifted by my brother in law the year I backed into his new car on Christmas Eve (in my defense, it was dark and he pulled up under my rear bumper ; ). I know these are busy days when you have young children but my hope is that you savor these days. Help your child embrace this season of joyful anticipation and be sure to take time out to have fun! Be silly! Be present to one another! It is the best present!
In this month's issue of the E-News:
- Saint of the Month: St.Nicholas of Myra
- "Be the Light!" Project
- Your Catholic Home - Advent/Advent Wreath
- Heart of Who-ville Walk
- FORMED - Catholic Netflix for the whole family
SAINT OF THE MONTH:
St. Nicholas of Myra
Ways to Celebrate this Patron Saint of whose feast day is December 6th
- Share the attached video with your children.
- Be sure to have the kids put their shoes out on Dec. 5th so that they can awaken on the 6th to some gold coins, citrus fruit and coloring pages or have them craft one of these: https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/crafts/shoes-stockings
- Visit St. Nicholas Center for some additional great ideas to celebrate St. Nicholas at home with your family.
"BE the Light!"
This year we will be highlighting opportunities to bring Christ into the World, to put our faith into action by helping others, to BE the Light shining brightly before others with our good works,
December Project: Blankets for St. Vincent de Paul
This month we are asking your family to consider sharing a new blanket for someone in need. Many of the families we serve through the St. Vincent de Paul ministry have family members sleeping on the floor who need blankets to keep them warm.
We hope your family will partner with us to Be a Light for those in Need!
YOUR CATHOLIC HOME:
ADVENT WREATH
Advent is upon us! We often are so wrapped up in making Christmas perfect, we forget that Advent and Christmas are seasons. With all the craziness of the world, I pray you take the time to celebrate these seasons with your children. This month our at-home curriculum features the Catholic practice of the advent wreath. An advent wreath helps remind us of the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ, Light of the World. With each passing week, you light more candles - one in week one, two in week two, etc. As the weeks progress the glow grows brighter to remind us that Christ is coming. If you don't have a real advent wreath, here is a great one you can print and assemble at home with your children. See more Advent ideas here!
UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS
See our advent season event calendar here. There are great options for couples, individuals and families. Two of our family highlights include:
Advent Concert - Let there be peace on earth. Let it begin with me.
Saturday, December 4th at 7:15pm
in the Worship Space
The St. Michael Music Adult Choir, Children's Choir, and Bell Choir will come together to herald the coming of the Lord!
Heart of Who-Ville Walk
Dec 10-12
Join us for a magical walk through Who-ville. Enjoy a fun filled family night! Visit our webpage for ideas on how to make a magical night for your family. We will be updating our webpage soon. Details upcoming on our website at www.saint-mikes.org/grinch
