Advent - a Question for our non-LDS Christian Members

[_moksha]

Honorentheos, brings up an excellent question.

Addtionally, why do we not have our own Stations of Gethsemane?

[_Blixa]

I'm a huge fan of advent calendars, having been given a spectacular one when I was around 7 by some Italian friends of my parents (friends from their time in North Africa. I used to get cool swag from their network of far-flung contacts from that time: people in the American service stationed overseas, people from the British diplomatic core and military, and Italian and Palestinian expatriates).

I will have to track down a website which features amazing DIY paper craft advent calendars as well as readymades. I'll post it when I find it.

I found it! YAY!

This papercraft site has advent calendars, nativities and ornaments that you can buy pre-printed to assemble, purchase to download, print out and assemble and even some free downloads of various kinds.

Lots of beautiful Xmas papercraft swag here: http://www.papermodelkiosk.com/shop/index.php

[_hobo1512]

Another aspect of Advent is the Nativity scene.

We put up our Nativity without the Baby Jesus, and without the Kings.

We put Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas eve, and then we place the Kings in a distant part of the room, and each day move them a little closer.

This goes on through the Christmas season up to the feast of Epiphany.

The kids love putting Jesus in the manger, and really love moving the Kings closer.

ETA: If you are interested in the Mass, you can watch it on EWTN, or you can watch several different churches within the US at http://churchcastonline.com/

[_Blixa]

Another aspect of Advent is the Nativity scene.

We put up our Nativity without the Baby Jesus, and without the Kings.

We put Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas eve, and then we place the Kings in a distant part of the room, and each day move them a little closer.

This goes on through the Christmas season up to the feast of Epiphany.

The kids love putting Jesus in the manger, and really love moving the Kings closer.

ETA: If you are interested in the Mass, you can watch it on EWTN, or you can watch several different churches within the US at http://churchcastonline.com/

I like that tradition!

[_honorentheos]

I found it! YAY!

This papercraft site has advent calendars, nativities and ornaments that you can buy pre-printed to assemble, purchase to download, print out and assemble and even some free downloads of various kinds.

Lots of beautiful Xmas papercraft swag here: http://www.papermodelkiosk.com/shop/index.php

That's pretty cool, Blixa. Are they traditionally Polish? I may have missed it on the page, but some of the language reminded me of Polish.

[_honorentheos]

ETA: If you are interested in the Mass, you can watch it on EWTN, or you can watch several different churches within the US at http://churchcastonline.com/

Thanks, hobo, I'll check that out.

[_honorentheos]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. My family started our own new advent tradition tonight (an admittedly multi-cultural spiritual, rather than purely Christian, event for us).

I thought I'd share this little tidbit: Building on the ideas Chap had shared, I made use of the symbolism of absolute darkness, into which came the single candle of hope by which we read the selected scriptures and quotes. Being 11, my daughter is not exactly scared of the dark, but she was quick to note how darkness can make us afraid and feel alone.

When we finished and she was walking away to get ready for bed, she flipped on an electric light and said, "Dad, I've never appreciated how special light is as I do right now."

Again, thank you to everyone who shared a little of your light with my family.

(by the way - this was the version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" chosen for tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecnS6q2TWC4)

[_MsJack]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. My family started our own new advent tradition tonight (an admittedly multi-cultural spiritual, rather than purely Christian, event for us).

I thought I'd share this little tidbit: Building on the ideas Chap had shared, I made use of the symbolism of absolute darkness, into which came the single candle of hope by which we read the selected scriptures and quotes. Being 11, my daughter is not exactly scared of the dark, but she was quick to note how darkness can make us afraid and feel alone.

When we finished and she was walking away to get ready for bed, she flipped on an electric light and said, "Dad, I've never appreciated how special light is as I do right now."

Again, thank you to everyone who shared a little of your light with my family.

(by the way - this was the version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" chosen for tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecnS6q2TWC4)

I'm glad it went so well for your family, honor. We just wrapped up ours. Our daughter was very squirmy and distracted, but she likes lighting the candles.

(Tomorrow I find out where she falls on the ADD/ADHD/Asperger's/Autism spectrum... I'm sure she's on it somewhere.)

[_honorentheos]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. My family started our own new advent tradition tonight (an admittedly multi-cultural spiritual, rather than purely Christian, event for us).

I thought I'd share this little tidbit: Building on the ideas Chap had shared, I made use of the symbolism of absolute darkness, into which came the single candle of hope by which we read the selected scriptures and quotes. Being 11, my daughter is not exactly scared of the dark, but she was quick to note how darkness can make us afraid and feel alone.

When we finished and she was walking away to get ready for bed, she flipped on an electric light and said, "Dad, I've never appreciated how special light is as I do right now."

Again, thank you to everyone who shared a little of your light with my family.

(by the way - this was the version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" chosen for tonight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecnS6q2TWC4)

I'm glad it went so well for your family, honor. We just wrapped up ours. Our daughter was very squirmy and distracted, but she likes lighting the candles.

(Tomorrow I find out where she falls on the ADD/ADHD/Asperger's/Autism spectrum... I'm sure she's on it somewhere.)

I owe you a debt for your links and sharing your experiences. The Huntsman information that you shared made up the core of the reading and explaination for Advent. You might find it funny that when I mentioned the reason we would include scripture from the Book of Mormon is that our families on both sides are Mormon, my daughter said, "What?! That means we're Mormon?!" I told her that was a discussion for a different time.

Also, you and your family are in our thoughts as well, MsJack. I wish you the best tomorrow.

[_honorentheos]

ETA: If you are interested in the Mass, you can watch it on EWTN, or you can watch several different churches within the US at http://churchcastonline.com/

Thanks, hobo, I'll check that out.

Hobo -

I'm watching a Mass now. I'll let you know if I have thoughts or questions.