One thing is certain-kids love to celebrate for any reason from birthdays to sports victories. And as intentional Catholic grandparents know, all the liturgical seasons provide a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with grandkids and reinforce their Catholic faith foundations. And that includes Advent.
Perhaps no other Christian faith tradition has more celebrations than does the Catholic Church. From the very beginning of Christianity, the tradition of celebrating feast days, holy days, solemnities, etc. represent a particular method of marking the seasons and time from a faith perspective. Given our historical roots in Judaism (another heavily seasoned faith tradition) it has evolved naturally into a smorgasbord of wonderful faith building traditions.
Every culture has its ‘kick-off’ season. In Christianity, Advent is that season. A celebration of the beginning of our sacramental year. It’s timing predates the secular New Years celebration that reminds us of the centrality of faith in our lives. Advent is all about the birth of something new. A fresh start. A beginning. And for Catholics we’re obviously preparing for the arrival of the Lord of all times and seasons. The birth of Jesus.
In a heavily secularized culture, it’s important to remind ourselves that this season is a religious time. That faith in Christ is our foundation. If we don’t have the coming of Jesus at the center of our Advent season…we miss the whole point!
In Catholicism, the four week season of Advent is to prepare for the greatest new beginning in history-the birth of the Messiah, Jesus. The challenge for parents and grandparents alike is to ‘keep the seasons’ unique and appreciated for their own unique message.
One thing to keep in mind is that we are looking to celebrate the season together, with our adult children and grandchildren, whenever possible. We’re not looking to replace any nuclear family events or activities, but rather to come alongside them to co-celebrate and, where possible, to add something. I am assuming that the parents of your grandchildren will provide some of the more basic traditions such as an Advent wreath, Jesse Tree, nativity creche’s etc. So how might intentional Catholic grandparents augment these seasonal traditions? Here are ten suggestions.
1. Create an Advent trivia game with simple prizes. Play as family teams or individuals. Helps get kids off of screens and into discussion in fun way.
2. Have your younger grandchildren perform a play or a home based songfest of Advent songs. If your grandkids play an instrument, have them perform an Advent song.
3. Discuss with middle and/or older aged grandkids the Gospels each Sunday ahead of time emphasizing the themes of each week’s Gospel. Can be done in person or remotely.
Week 1: Discuss discipleship as remaining faithful your entire life. Focus on the “watch”
Week 2: Discuss how the Old Testament foretold Jesus would come someday
Week 3: Discuss the John the Baptist story and how we all await Jesus’ return
Week 4: Discuss the importance of Mary; for older kids discuss imagery of Mary as the Ark of the Covenant.
4. Invite appropriately aged grandkids to join you in a corporal work of mercy
5. Build something together like a simple crib/manger or a creche.
6. Prepare an Advent themed meal and let kids help prepare. Consider books like Joanna Bogle’s A Book of Feasts and Seasons or Father Leo Patalinghug and his Plating Grace information.
7. Celebrate other December saints days like St. Nicholas, St. Lucy, St. Barbara, etc.
8.Create an Advent calendar using home drawn pictures, treats, etc.
9.Create Christmas cards for people in nursing homes, detention centers, etc.
10. Share a story about your most memorable Advent/Christmas growing up.
At the beginning of the Advent season there is a natural craziness during this time of year. Families are living a ‘white water’ frenzied lifestyle-especially single parents and two-income families, and this is a wonderful opportunity to help bring a bit of calm to a chaotic time of year.
Regardless of what you share, build, cook, play, or discuss remember to keep Jesus at the center of the celebration.
Happy Grandvent!
