The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, All Levels
November 14, 2011 - All Levels, Issue 5 |
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| Dear CGS Parent, | 
First Sunday of Advent is November 27th. Have you ever sat in mass on the first Sunday of Advent thinking, "I really meant to do something meaningful for Advent this year. And now look - it's here!" If this sounds like you, read on! Also, join in the mass, meal, and Advent wreath-making events this week (Nov. 15, 17, 20; click for details) in Catechesis. We will have family Advent resources available for you to browse. RSVP by the day before the event with the number of family members who will be eating to Kate Lynch, at kolynchdre@gmail.com. Praying for your blessed Advent, Lina Hilko, Editor |
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| On Planning Ahead ... |  Every Who down in Lincoln Park
Liked Advent a lot...
But the Grinch, who lived just north of Lincoln Park,
Did NOT!
The Grinch hated Advent!
The whole Advent season!
Now, please don't ask why.
No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his priorities weren't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his schedule was too tight.
But I think the most likely reason we can swig
May have been that his procrastination glands were two sizes too big.
But,
Whatever the reason,
His schedule or his glands,
He stood there on Advent Eve, wringing his hands,
Staring down from his roof-top deck with clenched, Grinchy teeth
At the warm lighted candles on every Advent wreath.
For he knew every Who who had planned ahead with care
Was busy now, with scripture, reflection, and prayer.
"And they're enjoying this time of preparation!" he snarled with a sneer,
"In four weeks it's Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop Advent from coming!"
STOP!! YOU don't have to dread Advent. YOU can choose a different experience this year.
The Church gives us Advent, a time of preparation so we can genuinely enjoy the great feast of Christmas. Take time to plan how your family will enjoy this gift. Perhaps you're already set. Or perhaps you can use some inspiration. In the following articles, we provide some CGS Advent connections and Advent-y ideas (in case they help get your creative juices flowing).
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| CGS Connections - The Prophesies | Level I and II children will hear proclaimed various prophesies related to Jesus Christ. The prophesies are offered to the children in a very simple, quiet way. Whenever we read from the Bible in Atrium, we light a candle. The catechist reads, and re-reads, the words of the prophesy in a quiet, slow manner. The catechist will invite simple, brief reflection. The response of the children, particularly at the young ages, may be silence. The closing invitation might be, "Is there something you would like to say to Jesus?" Or, "Is there a song you would like to sing?"
Not all the prophesies are presented in any given year because CGS Levels are designed as three-year cycles. The complete list of prophesies is shown below. Perhaps you would like to use these in some way for your own family prayer time during Advent.
Prophesy of the Light, Isaiah 9:1
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
Prophesy of the Names, Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Prophesy of the Place (Bethlehem), Micah 5:1a
But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.
Prophesy of the Mother, Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
Prophesy of the Star and Scepter, Numbers 24:17 (middle only)
A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.
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| CGS Connections - The Infancy Narratives |
Children at all Levels also hear proclaimed a set of narratives about the time before, at, and after the birth of Jesus. Again, these presentations are spread throughout a three-year cycle. The complete set of CGS Infancy Narratives is as follows:
Annunciation to Mary, Luke 1:26-38
Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-49,56
Birth of Jesus & Adoration of the Shepherds, Luke 2:1-20
Adoration of the Magi, Matthew 2:1-12
Presentation in the Temple, Luke 2:22-34(34 through the word "Israel"), 36-40
| Prayer
| Does your family pray together regularly, such as before meals or before bedtime? If you have been wanting to do this but feel awkward getting started, Advent gives you the perfect opportunity to start. Advent offers the natural "reason" for this new step which can then remain a family tradition. Consider approaches which offer choice and variety. This keeps family prayer meaningful and protects against routine or boredom. I recently read National Velvet to Alyssa
my daughter and chuckled that at the end of every supper the girls say, "F'whatayave received thank God." This is exactly how it's written -- not quite the prayer goal to set for your family.
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| The Advent Wreath |
| Regardless of any method you use to make Advent special and prayerful, incorporate your Advent wreath and candles. Children love the glow of candles, and the light is a consistent reminder of the light Jesus brought and continues to bring into the world.
| Hands-On Nativity
| Do you have a nativity set that is accessible to and usable by your children? Consider together preparing a special, hidden waiting area for baby Jesus. It can be your child's special joy to bring out the baby just after you return from Christmas mass. The Magi can also remain distant from the Holy Family until the feast of Epiphany.
Are you particularly arts & crafty? Can you and your child use Sculpey to make a nativity set?
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Advent Guided Books or Calendars
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Various books or calendars are available to help guide families through a prayerful Advent using scripture. Some examples will be on display at the family Advent wreath-making events on November 15, 17, and 20th. Browse through them to see if one of these is something you could use for family prayer time before meals or before bedtime.
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| Advent Ideas - Do-It-Yourself Scripture & Prayer | | Create your own scripture and prayer method. For example, find or make an Advent calendar which can hold (drawers? pockets?) small strips of paper with a scripture reference written on each. Set aside a predictable, reliable time (dinner? bedtime?) on a reliable or fairly reliable periodic basis (each day? on Sundays? twice a week?) to read the scripture reference, reflect briefly in silence or through discussion, and share a brief prayer. For scripture, consider one or two verses each session from the first and second chapters of Luke. Or consider some mix of the CGS prophesies and/or infancy narratives or favorite portions of Psalms. The amount of time should be appropriate for your child's age and attention. It definitely could be as short as a couple minutes. Remember that the reverent silence of young children is a very appropriate and meaningful form of prayer for them. Songs are also an appealing form of prayer for children.
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| Advent Ideas - Non-Traditional Reading | With slightly older or more mature children (especially good for Level 3), and if you like reading aloud at bedtime, you could consider reading a book which is not obviously about the Catholic religion or Christmas but which opens the door for discussion about connections to our beliefs. A couple books that come to mind are The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exup�ry and The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis (from the Chronicles of Narnia). A key insight provided by The Little Prince is that deep relationship changes everything from the ordinary into the unique. Also, I can't help but feel that the final page is beautifully tied to the words we hear at mass, "we wait in joyful hope for the coming...." The Magician's Nephew ties interestingly to the Creation accounts that Level 3 will work with after the new year.
It's not necessarily which exact book one picks so much as the experience of spending slow, quality time together and then bringing God into discussions. How can we, as Christians, make connections between the seemingly secular and our faith? Do we have the courage to bring God and scripture into our conversations?
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| Advent Ideas - Service Opportunities | One way to make Advent special is to serve others in a way that is different from your usual routine. Think and plan ahead. Write your commitments in a calendar and stick with them. This type of addition, though, should not end up being one more obligation stacked on an already overloaded holiday schedule. Carefully choose and plan so this can be a quality, joyful addition to your Advent celebration.
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Advent Ideas - Food for (Parental) Thought
| Here are links to two videos which provide parents with "food for thought" on consumerism. Consider watching them and then just thinking, praying. How does this speak to me? Is there something I want to change?
Advent Conspiracy (www.water.cc): http://vimeo.com/30556886
Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/) Girl Effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpXx55r0CDk&feature=relmfu |
| Advent Ideas - Slow It Down | | One of the best ideas of all is to slow your pace. Not necessarily the whole four weeks. But can you pick a time, even once a week, to share slow, out-of-the-ordinary family time. Could you listen to a book on tape or quiet Christmas music while making ornaments to give to close family? Could you make a special card or gift for your child's Godparents? What else could you do that is noticeably slow and quite?
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Please contact Lina Hilko, editor ( LHilko@aol.com ), or Kate Lynch, Director of Religious Education ( kolynchdre@gmail.com), with your comments or questions about this e-newsletter. |
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