GodFamilyCrafts

When I see that Feast of Christ the King has come, I feel a bit of panic.  Every year, I want to make Advent special  for my family.  I struggle with myself to find time to create new projects - meaningful and reverent. Reverent can also be fun of course, because Advent and Christmas are seasons for joy.

Have you noticed that kids learn so much when they are having fun?  Please come back very soon and see what I have posted for Advent — I promise!

In the past, I have created advent calendars with pockets, each containing a slip of paper with an activity, an inspiration, a prayer or another appropriate message.

Also, in the past we have celebrated each night of Advent with a reading of the Jesse Tree devotion.  The Jesse Tree readings trace the story of the people of God from the creation of the world and Adam and Eve to the birth of Christ. 

Both of these projects can take many forms: as mentioned, it can be a wall hanging with pockets, and here are some other suggestions: Tie tiny scrolls containing the messages to a wreath with narrow red ribbon; create a paper chain with one link for each day of Advent.  On each link write the message. Alternate colors: red, green, purple (the season’s liturgical color), white for Sunday’s, Gold for feast days and Christmas.

Return soon for more ideas.  Peace be with you — Happy Thanksgiving; Viva Christo Rey (long live Christ the King), Blessed Advent.

You know those little photo albums at the dollar store and the crafts store?  Those are the perfect starting place for this project.  A nice picture on the front is good, but you may choose to follow the instructions below and change the picture inside the front cover .

What is the point of a Family Album of Saints?  Here’s the theological faith explanation….

• We are all part of the Family of God, if we are baptized. 
• God is our father, Jesus is our brother.
• Mary is our mother.
• The Communion of Saints is our Family.
• Just as we keep photo albums of our earthly family, so should we be reminded of our spiritual family.

Very basic.  Now for the album — purchase, cut out or print out pictures (Image Gallery of Saints)  of saints that are familiar to the children.  Children can also draw the saint pictures. Try to include their patron saint.  Jesus should go on the first page and Mary should be in the album prominently. 

As you arrange the saints in the album include a slip of paper with the Saint’s name and other information.  Depending on the age of the child, you could use the facing page for an index card with even more information.

Don’t stop with canonized saints!  Include your loved ones who have gone before us, the Pope, and other Holy people. We are all the Communion of Saints -

• Church Triumphant in Heaven,
• Church Suffering in Purgatory,
• Church Militant on Earth.

This Family Album of Saints can be an on-going project. Start slowly and add saints as their feast day comes along, or according to the Liturgical Seasons.  St. Joseph, for example, does not have a feast day until March, but he figures prominently in the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Include him.

Special saints to include: Our Lady of Guadalupe - Patroness of the Americas and the Unborn; the saint for whom your parish is named; your various family patron saints and confirmation saints; saints that come from you ancestral home, eg St. Martin is from France.

Talk about and note why these people are saints. First and foremost, they love God.  Their actions and lives reflect this love of God.

To change picture inside front cover:  Open the album to the inside of the front cover.  Using an ex-acto knife or other sharp cutter, lightly score along the vinyl inside the front cover close to the center binding.  Once you have cut through in one spot, you should be able to gently split the score line to remove the picture in front and insert your own.  The same can be done with the back cover.

Encourage children to share their Family Album of Saints with visitors, friends and relatives.  It is a witness to those who have gone before us faithfully and in whose footsteps we want to follow