A season of joyous preparation

Advent, meaning "the coming," is a season of joyous preparation for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ. The 2006 Advent Season is celebrated four Sundays before Christmas, December 3 to December 24. The liturgical color is purple (violet), a symbol of Christ's divine royalty.  The coming of Christ is at the heart of Christian faith.  Advent stories speak of God coming near to us and relating intimately with us.  The good news of Jesus Christ's coming into the world is that God's love reaches humankind.

During this period of Advent, invite your teachers to an "Advent Extravaganza" and share exciting ideas such as the following to be used in classes, ministries, organizations or homes:

• Stewardship-Lessons in Giving:  Make a list of people to whom you would like to give a gift this Christmas.  Take time to plan what gifts you can give of yourself, remembering that this is the gift that lasts a lifetime, the ability to love. (Elaine Ward: Church Educator)
• Advent Volunteers:  Ask for volunteer(s) to find special projects in which the group will give "themselves" and allow an avenue through which God's presence is made known, by singing in the neighborhood, hospital or long term care facilities; shoveling snow for the elderly or disabled; providing personal services to needy families, shelters and other institutions; and, collecting toys from church members and organizing a Christmas fellowship at which to present the toys to the special guests.  Suggest a variety of projects from which the group can give of themselves. (Elaine Ward: Church Educator)
• Alternative Giving Event:  Host an alternative giving event where church members can give to worthy causes as their Christmas gifts to loved ones.  For additional ideas, see Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? (ALTERNATIVES for Simple Living, Gerald Iversen, National Coordinator, (800) 821-6153, alternatives@SimpleLiving.org)

For more information or ideas, you may order an Advent/Christmas Resource Brochure from Disciples Home Missions, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.  Or, contact Bill Culp, Christian Education, administrative assistant, (888) 346-2631, ext. 2639, wculp@dhm.disciples.org.

The Rev. Billye P. Bridges, Director of Christian Education, Disciples Home Missions, is a native of Jackson, Miss., and a member of Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis.