The Advent art of waiting
One of my fondest memories of teaching in a Catholic school is helping the children understand and celebrate the season of Advent. The principal at our school “pounded into our heads” that we were to focus on Advent, the beginning of the new liturgical year, and not even think about Christmas until the week before.
As Advent began, the first thing I did with my class was discuss the beginning of the new Church year. Then I always had the children make a simple Advent wreath. It helped them understand the four-week time period and that we light only one candle at a time. (They wanted to light all the candles at once just like candles on a birthday cake!) They learned to wait.
We would take “special quiet breaks” to think about what we were doing during Advent to “wait” for Jesus. At first it was hard for them to wait five seconds. But as the weeks of Advent progressed, they were able to wait and pray for longer periods of time.
During Advent, and anytime really, you can take these “special quiet breaks” with your class. Take 10 or 15 seconds a couple of times during class to consciously pause and wait. Always remind them that it is Advent, and we are preparing and waiting for Jesus. It is not Christmas yet!
In this issue you will find lots of information and many activities to help you and those you teach celebrate Advent as fully as possible. You’ll also find helpful ways to celebrate Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.
My prayers are with you always, but especially during this busy but “quiet” time.
Rosanne was named editor of RTJ's Creative Catechist in April 2010. She was previously advertising manager and worked in marketing for RTJ's Creative Catechist, Today's Parish and God's Word Today. For over 20 years she taught in Catholic schools. She has also been a catechist and associate director for the Norwich Diocesan Office for Faith Formation.
