Faith at Home newsletter

A day or so ago I sent out a new issue of my very occasional Faith at Home email newsletter. Here it is, for your enjoyment.

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Faith at Home News

Issue #12: Advent & Christmas
An occasional publication of Faith at Home
< www.faith-at-home.com >
Explore and enjoy your faith with your kids!

To subscribe, email faith-at-home-subscribe@topica.com

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News

It's been a very long while since the previous Faith at Home newsletter -- a couple of Christmases to be exact. The Web site has more resources and topic areas, and the front page now shows excerpts from my new Faith at Home blog. The blog is a way for me to mention something in a quick note. I hope to deliver new issues of the newsletter to your e-mailbox a bit more often!

The current focus of Faith at Home is Advent and Christmas. The season of Advent began November 27 this year and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. Our Advent resources page has links to kid-friendly nativity sets and Advent calendars, as well as information and resources for the Advent wreath tradition, Saint Nicholas, and Las Posadas. Yet, take my hard-won advice: choose carefully just a few Advent activities for your family.
< Advent resources >

Christmas Articles!

"Christmas Begins at Sundown on the Eve"
"Christmas: 12 Days"

We have lots of recommended Christmas books for children. You might find one to add to your family's Christmas collection. My kids really enjoy our Advent and Christmas books, and I'm always looking for a great new one.
< Advent and Christmas books >

Disasters, war, and children

It's been a year of many stresses, from the tsunami a year ago to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and of course war. In addition to articles and links, we also have a thoughtful parish flyer on the topic available for anyone to download and use. Details are on the same page.
< Disasters, war, and children >

...continued...

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History, traditions, resources, games & activities

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...More News

More on Advent

"Advent: Christmas Expectation" is a great read, a reminder of what a blessing the season of Advent is to children and their families.
< "Advent: Christmas Expectation" >

There are more good articles about Advent and Christmas, as well as links to everything at Faith at Home about Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, on this page.
< Advent, Christmas, Epiphany >

Other areas of the site

New resources are available for Godly Play teachers and parents interested in this simple yet deep way of exploring our faith. Look for the newest books and Web sites in the Godly Play area of Faith at Home.
< Godly Play >

Books at the site

I'm always searching for books that I can recommend to you, and those books are highlighted in related topic areas throughout the site, as well as in the Books area. The link below takes you to our central books page.

Faith at Home gets a small percentage of the purchase price of any book you buy at Amazon.com when you go there through one of our links, and we receive significantly more for a book you buy directly at the link from Faith at Home. We've done the sleuthing for you; enjoy!

We keep our expenses very low and appreciate your purchases that benefit Faith at Home in this way. Thank you so much.
< Books at Faith at Home >

It's great to hear from you with your comments, concerns, ideas, etc. Please email me, editor@faith-at-home.com

May your Advent be blessed with peace, joy, and expectation.

Barbara Laufersweiler
editor@faith-at-home.com

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Found on the Internet:

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy, age 4

"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."
Jessica, age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby, age 7

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For lots of resources for nurturing children's faith in daily life, visit
< Faith-at-Home.com >

See you next time!

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May God the Father, who by baptism adopts us as his children, grant you grace.
May God the Son, who sanctified a home at Nazareth, fill you with love.
May God the Holy Spirit, who has made the Church one family, keep you in peace.
Amen.

[The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, ECUSA]

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To subscribe, email faith-at-home-subscribe@topica.com

To submit a tip, idea, or article, email editor@faith-at-home.com

For information about advertising, email ads@faith-at-home.com

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Copyright © 2005 Barbara Laufersweiler.
All rights reserved.

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Advent blessings!

I finally caught up with the liturgical year and moved on from All Saints to Advent at Faith at Home. Ooops! Perhaps I'm not the only one a little reluctant to dip my toe in the swiftly moving waters of Christmastime all around us in order to wade out to the solid rock of Advent in its midst.

Join me. Join the millions around the world who wade in and scramble up onto the steady rock of the Church's preparations for Christ among us.

In my household our first act for Advent is often gathering some greenery for an Advent wreath. We light the candles most evenings in Advent before or after dinner, after the first week or so when we often get off to a shaky start!

We didn't make it to St. Nicholas's visit to our church on Sunday, but I've wanted to add a St. Nicholas Day observance to our traditions for a few years now. So, we are leaving our gifts of money and a warm child's hat for him to take tonight, St. Nicholas's Eve, and use to help poorer children. The bishop will leave a note, (broom)straw, and some candy in my sons' shoes for morning -- a bit of Christmas anticipation.

On the first Wednesday evening in Advent we enjoyed a soup supper at church with a service following. My younger son plans to bring a family book for the suppertime Advent readings this week.

For us, it is enough. The swirls and eddies and the powerful push toward Christmas draw us along toward Christmas cards and letters, Christmas gift shopping and making, festive baking, and so on and so on. Christmas festivities and celebration come without seeking them out. Even though Advent preparation and quietness requires effort, just a bit can be enough for us. For you.