Prepare your Crib

​Each week in Advent during our Family Liturgy we'll explore that Sunday's Gospel and reflect on a different section of the Nativity account as we add to our crib. 
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We're continuing our journey to Bethlehem this week and adding our shepherds, sheep and angels.

If you haven't got any animals for your crib scene there are some instructions for making some below.

More Family Liturgy Resources are here

Some ideas of things you could do with your nativity set

Week 1: Get your crib ready

Week 2: Mary, Joseph and a donkey

Week 3: Shepherds, sheep and angels

Here's some photos of wreaths that families from our parish have made this year.  

Create an Advent Wreath

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

HOW TO CREATE AND USE YOUR WREATH

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

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

Sign up for the Wintershall Nativity Walk

​Come and join Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem at Wintershall this Christmas. Experience the real Christmas story, as you walk through the beautiful grounds of the Wintershall Estate. Meet the Shepherds watching their sheep, spot the Angel as you climb the hill and help the Wise Men find the star. A truly unique and magical experience for families.
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With pre-booked timeslots, and following Covid 19 guidelines, immerse yourselves in the Nativity, while staying safe. At Wintershall, there is plenty of room at the Inn for Jesus to be born this December.  You can find out more and book on their website.

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?
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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.