“We’re almost close to meeting Jesus.” These were the words my 5-year-old grandson, James, joyfully yelled on December 16th as he eagerly opened his next little Advent bag. His simple yet profound statement beautifully captures the essence of what Advent is all about: anticipation, excitement, and preparing our hearts to meet Jesus.
This year, children from the preschool programs we work with have shared James’ excitement as they participated in using our Advent Boxes. These boxes have been a source of joy and wonder for families who have reported how their children can hardly wait for each new day to open the item inside. Parents have shared how the Advent Box has sparked meaningful conversations about faith and created special moments of togetherness. Many families have even started new traditions inspired by this resource.
The contents of the Advent Box were thoughtfully chosen to engage children and families in meaningful activities that connect them to the season’s spiritual significance. Each box included 25 items like a prayer cloth full of Advent symbols, rocks to be painted with nativity scenes, a map of the world to explore the story of Jesus’ birth, a snowflake ornament to remind us of God’s unique creation, and a crown because He is the King of Kings! Families also received small figurines representing Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the magi, as well as crafts like clay for shaping a manger scene and a QR code that takes you to a YouTube channel filled with Christmas songs to sing together. Each day brought a new way to engage, reflect, and create memories.
Faith-filled Families, the organization behind the Advent Box, is dedicated to equipping families with tools and resources to help them grow in faith together. This initiative is made possible through the generous support of a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., awarded to Virginia Theological Seminary and housed in the Lifelong Learning Department. Faith-filled Families operates under this department, leveraging its resources and expertise to develop creative, impactful programs like the Advent Box. The Advent box vision came from the Rev. Dr. Missouri McPhee, the Project Coordinator for Faith-filled Families who has been instrumental in shaping this work.
As the curator of the box’s contents, I drew upon my experience and understanding of family faith formation. Additionally, students of Rev. Rode Molla, Ph.D., Virginia Theological Assistant Professor, Faith-filled Families’ Faculty Advisor and Jerry Berryman Chair for Children’s Spirituality and Nurture, contributed foundational ideas through their research papers written in 2023, which I used to craft a meaningful and engaging experience for families.
The Advent Box is only the beginning. We are already envisioning a Lent Box to continue fostering spiritual growth and engagement among families. Our team is hard at work designing this next resource’s look and feel, building on the success of this Advent season.
These small moments, like James’ anticipation, remind us of the profound impact of simple, intentional practices. They not only help families connect with the sacredness of the season but also strengthen the mission of Faith-filled Families and Grow Christians to provide meaningful tools that bring faith into the heart of everyday life. Through these efforts, we hope to continue inspiring families to prepare their hearts for the next arrival of Christ.
What resources helped your household prepare for the arrival of Christ this Advent?
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