Create an Advent Wreath

There is much symbolism behind the wreath, which you can find out about in our handout here:

ADVENT WREATH WEEKLY PRAYERS

You will need the following items to create a wreath (click on the images for links for purchasing these items):

Pray with a Jesse Tree Devotional

A Jesse Tree helps us remember our story, the story of God’s people, who waited so long for the coming of Messiah, just as we are waiting through the dark days of December for Jesus. 

In the devotional below there is a Scripture reading, a prayer, a thought or question for reflection, and an activity for each day. There is also a corresponding ornament which you can cut out and tie to your Christmas tree each day.

The Devotional

The Ornaments

Set up a giving manger

Get an empty manger and some straw. Each time someone does something to prepare their hearts for Jesus, you can add some straw.  By Christmas day the manger will be ready for a Jesus figure to be placed inside.
You can buy one of these sets here or just create your own manger and use the reflection below.

Empty Manger Reflection

Good Deeds Advent Calendar

Make your own good deed manger template

Creating a Crib at Home

When setting up your crib this year, why not try and follow the nativity story.
​Find some instructions below.

Creating a Crib at Home Instructions

How to Pray the Rosary

The rosary is a series of prayers that is recited with the aid of a string of beads or a knotted cord. The string of beads itself may be called a rosary.
It is a cycle of repeated formal prayers, such as the "Lord's Prayer/Our Father" and the "Hail Mary", done while thinking about important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. This is called "saying the Rosary" or "praying the Rosary." 

A person who says a Rosary usually thinks about certain events from the Bible - called Mysteries.

During this time Advent why not reflect on the "Joyful Mysteries". As we hold our rosary and pray the Hail Mary over and over again, we think about happy times in Mary’s life.

How to Pray the Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

Create your own donkey

Reflection about a donkey

You will need:
•Paper
•Glue
•2 wooden/grey pegs
•Black wool

Instructions

• ​Draw and colour in a donkey body, without legs.
• Glue on wool for his neck and tail
• Colour your pegs grey, with dark hoofs
• Attach the pegs to the Donkey body

Once you've made your donkey you can put it in your crib, to remind yourself of the long journey we all make to Bethlehem

Use an advent calendar

Use Cafod's Interactive Family Advent Calendar

Make a special Advent Calendar

​Include one thing you can do each day of Advent to get ready for Jesus’ birth.  Below are some suggestions about what you could include.  Once you have done the action you could place it in a special gift-wrapped box...what a great gift to be able to offer to Jesus!

A reflection and instructions for making your advent calendar

SuGGESTIONS OF ACTIONS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ADVENT CALENDAR

Create some animals for your crib scene

Share the love

Pope Francis asks us to be loving and kind to one another. He says that mercy is like a well, and from it comes Joy and Peace.  We can be ‘merciful’ like God the Father and Jesus.

Why not share your love, joy and peace with others this Advent?
​
Think about anyone you know who might be on their own this Christmas, then create a Christmas card and send it to them.

Crafts

Click on an image to find instructions.

Watch "It Begins in Bethlehem"

Check out the brilliant video animation of It Begins in Bethlehem, produced by the Bible Society.  It’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face and bring a fresh perspective on the nativity story. Get your free booklet of It Begins in Bethlehem here.