November 26, 2022
Advent for All: Hope in Beginnings
Week 1
-1.jpg)
Advent for All: Intro
Nothing of all good things that have been made,
Picture, or world, or book, without Him came.
Nor knowledge good for man can mankind know,
But He vouchsafes it; He is all our light.”
~Charlotte Mason, The Nativity, Parents Review 21 p.882
Holidays can be challenging and hectic. So this weekly series of Advent and Christmas inspiration features readings from the Bible, music, poetry, picture books, art, handicrafts, recipes, and more to help us savor the season. Our hope is that every member of the family will find something for them and that the various resources would help families, neighborhoods, classes, and other communities carve out spaces for joy, reverence, wonder, and expectation this season as we focus attention on the birth at Bethlehem and beyond.
Bible Reading
Genesis 1-3, Psalm 19, and Hebrews 1
Reflect & Listen
“A Liturgy to Mark the Start of the Christmas Season” by Douglas Mckelvey
Read
The God We Hardly Knew by Óscar Romero. After reading the poem aloud, look at it. Notice it’s length and the length of each line. Why do you think Romero ended the lines where he did? Try rewriting the poem and changing where the line breaks fall--does this change the effect of the poem? There are no right or wrong answers here. Poems are invitations to explore.
Listen
Morning Mood by Edvard Grieg.
View
Even the Darkness Series by Diane Fairfield. Pick one or two paintings in the series to study and absorb this week. Notice the colors, the light, the shapes, and patterns. What emotions and thoughts do they evoke? What do you think it is about the colors, the materials, or the composition of the painting that contributes to its effect? Read more about the artist and her work here if interested.
Activities
Choose a few activities this month to make the season special. This week’s ideas:
- Pick a puzzle (maybe even a Christmas themed one) to work on this week. Aim to have every member of the class or family participate at some point in the process.
- Make a Christmas ornament (try simple embroidery, tissue paper, painted acorns, or a simple wood and thread construction)!
- Christmas traditions vary greatly around the world. Browse through these collections of Christmas food from around the world (one option, a second list, a third list) and consider picking a few to try this season (bonus: you’ll be getting extra Science, Geography, and Math lessons in!).
- Extra read-aloud time. Particular suggestions for this week: The Trees of the Dancing Goats, A Literary Christmas (Anthology), The Christmas Coat, The Family Under the Bridge, One Wintry Night.
“We know no more about the Creation than we do about the Incarnation, no more about the forgiveness of sins than about the resurrection of the body. All is mystery, being what the heart of man could not conceive of unless it had been revealed.”
~Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, Book 2, p.200-201.
