It’s vital that we get the balance of the anticipation of Christmas with the spiritual preparation that Advent brings. Here are 12 ways to celebrate Advent in School.
Advent is not just four weeks
in which to prepare for Christmas.
Advent is the church’s life.
Advent is Christ’s presence…
and will bring about God’s true reign,
telling us, humanity, that Isaiah’s prophecy
is now fulfilled:
Emmanuel – God with us.
St. Oscar Romero
December is such a busy and exciting month in school. There is never enough time, and the end of term is always a mad rush. It’s difficult enough to concentrate on Christmas activities. But Advent is so important in its meaning, and rich in its Scripture, signs and symbols. It’s vital that we get the balance of the anticipation of Christmas, with the spiritual preparation that Advent brings.
Planning ahead is essential, and because of the rush it’s worth starting Advent a little early to get the most out of the season; so begin a week before Advent starts and build up to the first Sunday. Decorate the school for Advent and enjoy the richness of its symbolism and the opportunities for spiritual growth that it offers.
Here are 12 ways to celebrate Advent in School.
1. Advent Wreath
Because so many children miss out on the church experience, it’s essential to have these important symbols in school. Focus on Love, Joy, Hope and Peace as weekly themes and be sure to use real greenery and real candles (plastic and fake are not as authentic or worthy.) There are lots of great craft activities for children to make their own wreaths, but for an assembly idea, try making a human wreath… children dressed in purple or pink with headdress flames (carefully and safely constructed). Then, when the real wreath is used in liturgies or at Mass, hopefully the children will have remembered what it’s all about.
2. Christingle
This is a tradition begun in the 18th century in Germany. Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville wanted children to think more about Jesus. The orange represents the world and a single red ribbon, the blood of Christ. Today, a candle, sweets and cloves are used to add extra symbolism. There are lots of different ways of making Christingles a part of Advent preparation; you could invite parents and grandparents into school and make it a shared activity. Or older pupils could help the younger children and explain the meaning to them. There is no one specific liturgy linked with Christingles. They may be included in a class liturgy about Jesus being the light of the world or accompanied with prayers and a hymn for peace. This is an opportunity to be creative.
3. Reconciliation
Becoming the best people we can, requires us to acknowledge our weaknesses. The Sacrament of Reconciliation should be available. Make an examination of conscience part of the Advent prayer routine (see also the Advent Novena). It fits in beautifully with meditative prayer to which children will respond readily. Younger children can say a very simple prayer, repeated 3 times: ‘I am sorry Lord,’ or ‘Father forgive me,’ or ‘I am sorry for my sins.’
4. Advent Calendar
The commercial world has successfully marketed this part of our Christmas preparation but sadly, without most of its religious meaning or content. Daily scenes connected with the birth of Christ have been replaced with celebrity and cartoon characters, chocolates, gin and perfume. The simplest thing we can do is to have a religious calendar.
There are some wooden calendars available for classrooms so that children can take turns to add a figure to the scene. Calendars with empty drawers or pockets are brilliant for placing symbols, written prayers or pictures that support the prayer life of the children. If your class has the time and energy, they can even create their own Advent calendars or one large one for the whole class to use.
5. Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8th December
In the frenzy that is school life in December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is easily overlooked. But celebrating Mary and her sinless nature is very fitting. The title Immaculate Conception isn’t particularly child-friendly, but we can explain that Mary is a role model for everyone because she never did anything wrong. It’s great for discussion with older pupils and can be an opportunity for everyone to say and reflect on the Hail Mary together.
6. Jesse Tree
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-2
This Medieval Tradition remembers the lineage of Jesus, starting with Jesse the father of King David. For illiterate people, art was the gateway to learning about their faith. Some early forms of the ‘family tree’ were depicted on tapestries and stained glass (The Jesse Window in St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury and a depiction in Chartres Cathedral are well-known examples.) Today, symbols represent the Creation through to the visit of the Magi. It’s a fabulous way to celebrate the proper story. Let your creativeness run wild.
7. The O Antiphons
These antiphons are the hidden secret of Advent. We probably know them best in the hymn ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel.’ This form of prayer, which dates back at least to the 8th century, is rich in symbolism and belief and can be adapted in school. Traditionally they are antiphons which are recited before the Magnificat at Evening prayer on the 7 days leading up to Christmas. The Latin titles (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia) from an acrostic that children will love working out. The initials mean ‘Tomorrow I will come.’ There are also some good YouTube reflections on the antiphons which are useful for older children and staff.
8. Advent Bag
This is a great way of involving families. Each class needs a purple bag (cloth drawstring works well) which is taken home each night by a different child. The idea is for each family to pray together using the contents of the bag: prayer book, blank book for writing intentions, candle, cloth, crucifix and/or crib figure and a card with helpful guidelines (see resources).
This also works well in Lent but it relies on the bag being brought back each morning.
9. Advent Meditation
Meditation is becoming very popular in schools. It taps into the need for taking care of our mental health. Of course, the Church has known the benefits of meditation for centuries. Using silence is a skill that needs to be taught. It won’t just happen. Start with simple imaginative prayer using bible stories, a daily examen, video reflections and progress to Lectio Divina for older pupils. There are some great online resources (I’ve collected some together on my website at the end). Advent topics for meditation might include: The Magnificat, John the Baptist and Isaiah, saying sorry and preparing.
10. Isaiah and John the Baptist
The words of Isaiah and the story of John the Baptist are powerful and not to be missed out. They can be adapted to artwork, drama, posters, prayers around school and to be sent home. The Sunday readings are a good start, and I’ve included them in the ‘Advent Novena’. You could hold an art competition in school to draw both figures, and the winning pictures could be made into life-size figures for the school hall. This can be very effective, give a different focus and enrich our biblical understanding of some of the key figures of Advent.
11. St Joseph
In some parts of Europe, it’s customary to carry a statue of St Joseph to a different home each night, then on Christmas Eve it is put into the crib next to Mary. It reminds us of the journey to Bethlehem and puts the spotlight on Joseph, who is often overlooked.
12. Pray a Novena
There seem to be very few novenas for children, so this is one I have written especially for Advent. Children love routine; completing nine days of prayer together as a family or class would be a spiritual challenge and a fitting way to prepare for Christmas (see resource list). You could mark off the days by lighting an extra candle or adding a figure to the crib each day. Use one or all the prayers daily and feel free to adapt it.
Advent Novena for Children
Morning Prayer
Come Lord Jesus.
Come into our minds and hearts
and be on our lips.
Come and make us more like you
as we prepare to celebrate your birth.
Come Lord Jesus.
Midday Scripture and Act of Contrition
Day 1. To you Lord God, I lift up my soul, I trust in you; let me never be put to shame.
Do not let my enemies laugh at me. No one who waits for you is ever put to shame.
Day 2. People of Zion, the Lord comes to save all nations, your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice.
Day 3. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
Day 4. Let the clouds rain down the just one and the earth bring forth a Saviour.
Day 5. Stay awake praying at all times, for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.
Day 6. You must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Day 7. Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight and all shall see the salvation of God.
Day 8. Say to the anxious, be strong and fear not, our God will come and save us.
Day 9. Mary is with child and shall give birth to a Son and she will call him Emmanuel.
Act of Contrition
O my God, because you are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you, and with the help of your grace I will not sin again.
Prayer at the end of the day
Lord, have mercy on us your children.
Watch over us especially in this season of Advent.
Help us to properly celebrate
that you came to earth,
so that we could live forever with you in Heaven.
Listen to our prayers this afternoon.
(Silent prayer)
Be with us today and always.
And may Almighty God bless us all,
in the name of the Father and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Resources
www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent/
Short videos on works of art; free printables; links to song playlists; O Antiphon colouring book.
www.looktohimandberadiant.com/
Activities based on the Old Testament.
www.thereligionteacher.com/
Lots of links to excellent sites, especially for Jesse tree activities and the O Antiphons.
mariahall.org/mary/advent/Christmas
Children’s Advent Novena; Advent Bag; Meditation; O Antiphons; Reconciliation Liturgy.
