December 2006 Extras

On this page:

• Special Advent Puzzle! Click here to download and print (PDF format)

• This month's question

• Make Your Own Advent Wreath

• Find Resources On Line

• Sunday Gospels

This month's question

What fun plans does your family have in mind for 2007?

Email your answers to takeout@osv.com

Make Your Own Advent Wreath

Click here for directions.

Find Resources On-line

Advent Ideas for the whole family. Click here.

Advent and Christmas supplies. This site has several wreaths available for purchase but could serve as a starting point for ideas for making your own. Click here.

History of Advent wreaths with blessings. Click here.

December’s Sunday Gospels

December 3: Luke 21: 25 – 28, 34 – 36:   Jesus calls us to be watchful at all times.

•  As Catholics, we believe in the sacrament of the present moment. All life is holy; Jesus is with us all the time. We just need to be aware. What practices can we do to live more aware of Jesus always with us?

• As always, Luke reminds us to pray. When do we pray together as a family? Are there other times/ways we might want to pray together during this Advent season?

December 10:  Luke 3: 1-6: John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus

•  If we were like John the Baptist, voices sending messages to our world, what would we be telling them?

•  If we asked John what we should do today, what would he tell us? John was a prophet, reminding people of God’s dream for them. Are there people alive today like that? Do we listen? 

• John called the people to prepare a road for God’s homecoming. How is our home a home for God? Is there someone who needs to be welcomed “home” to our family, to our home this Christmas?  

• There’s an old Christmas song, “I’ll be home for Christmas.” To be at home, do I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive? Who? How? Will I?

 December 17:  Luke 3: 10 – 18: John the Baptist calls people to  generosity

• The Third Sunday of Advent is meant to be a day of wonderful joy. What brings you joy? When does our family bring joy to others? 

• John the Baptist was trying to explain how mighty and wonderful Jesus is. Who is the most wonderful person you know? What is the most wonderful thing Jesus did when he was on earth? What is the most wonderful thing Jesus has done for our family? What would be a wonderful thing we could do for someone else during this Christmas season?

• John was calling the people to a life of generosity. What do we have that someone needs? Christmas is a celebration of Jesus coming into our world. But sometimes people get so busy they forget that. How can we remember?

 December 24:  Matthew 1: 1-25: The family tree and birth of Jesus

• In your family tree, who are your most favorite people? Why? 

• In your family tree, who has taught you most about God?  What has been passed on to you from your relatives, especially about your faith? 

• In this family tree of Jesus, who do you know about? 

• Why do you think Matthew tells us about this long family tree of Jesus? When do you feel closest to Jesus, “God with us,” in your life?

 December 31:  Luke 2: 41 – 52: Jesus stays in the Temple

• When is our family like the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus?

• In what ways are each of us/are we as a family growing “in wisdom, age and grace before God and God’s people?” 

• Does this story remind us of any event/happening in our family? 

• Jesus’ actions confused Mary, so Mary pondered them, thought about them prayerfully in her heart. What times in our family life need pondering together instead of worrying, arguing, fixing or withdrawing?