Advent. In Latin, adventus. “Coming,” or “arrival.” More than simply an extended time to think about Christmas (as if advertisers haven’t already done enough in that department), Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas where Christians throughout the centuries have paid special attention to the so-called “First Advent” of Jesus (his birth), as well as his “Second Advent,” (his return to earth to set all to rights once again). Throughout these four weeks we celebrate the mystery of what it means to live “between the times,” as we worshipfully remember the coming of God in the humble form of a human baby, and as we prayerfully await his return and seek to have our present lives shaped by that glorious future.

Greenleaf’s Kids Church also has a very special month planned for Advent! Our Kids Church pastor has written four special lessons for the weeks of Nov. 27th, Dec. 4th, 11th, and 18th. They include all of the usual elements of Kids Church, but each week takes a kid-sized look at part of the Christmas story. By the end of Advent, the kids will have heard, seen, tasted, smelled, and touched the whole story of Jesus’ birth through story telling, crafts, special themed snacks, play, and more!

We know that Christmas is a very busy season, but we encourage you to be at church as much as possible, since each week’s story builds on the week before through Sunday, Dec. 18th. We want to support you, parents, as you teach your children the true meaning of Christmas, and we hope that these lessons will have impact on their little hearts and have a take-home that can spur your own conversations about Jesus, the wonderful & mysterious & loving Jesus, who we follow.

Come join us!

Filed under: News on November 25th, 2011