In 2021, I developed an Advent reflection series to go with the Seeking Shalom (Isaiah) resources that I had previously created, and I really loved doing it. People who used the resource in their homes all reflected back to me that it was a really great way to engage with Christmas differently. So, when I started to develop the 2022 lectionary-aligned content, my first priority was to develop an Advent series that made space for different types of reflection.
Experiencing Advent in a Fresh Way
As we attend church year over year, we can find that the particularly big celebrations like Christmas and Easter can become a bit the same; each year we know, with a degree of accurate predictability, what is about to happen. This repetition sometimes robs us of the ability to be surprised and to think about things differently and deeply. Approaching the Advent season from a slightly different angle is a fresh way to provide some food for collective thought. Advent: Something is Coming! is a set of resources created to provide new, creative, and flexible ways to approach the Advent season, making space for an intergenerational experience of the Nativity and opening up new ways to explore the emotional, spiritual, and creative dimensions of the Christmas season for people of all ages.
Think. Prepare. Say.
What is included?
Advent: Something is Coming! contains 5 weeks of resources, all of which build on the weeks before. Using the lectionary passages for each week as an underpinning for the prayers and reflections, we explore the ways that Advent helps us to anticipate the things that God is doing in order to get ourselves ready for what is coming. Each lesson uses the prompts Think, Prepare, and Say to guide preparation and conversation. Each week adds characters to a Nativity Tree – wise-people, angels, shepherds and Mary – and, of course, Baby Jesus!
A Flexible Script
Advent: Something is Coming! was not written as a resource to be performed. It is designed to be shared with our faith communities. It comes with flexible implementation options, as well as a base “script” to help you find the words to bring your group along on the journey.
Printable Nativity Set
It also contains a beautiful, printable Nativity character set and lots of practical encouragement around how to tailor the engagement each week to meet the needs of your individual context.
Space for Reflection and Making Meaning
It’s important to me, and I hope it is to you too, that we don’t accidentally turn “intergenerational” ministry into “craft time” that people tolerate or engage with as a novelty. I’m really passionate about intergenerational spaces fostering the kind of faith formation in which everyone has the opportunity to grow and contribute, so this Advent resource comes with space to make some notes, to ask curious questions, and to work out how to make the Nativity Tree a meaningful part of your community’s Christmas celebrations, specially tailored for the demographic and the dynamic of your community.
Advent: Something is Coming! is the first resource package from the brand new 2022 Lectionary-Aligned Resource Series from Intergen.
Intergen is wholeheartedly committed to resourcing, supporting, and equipping local faith communities, churches, and gatherings in the lifelong following of Jesus in their contexts. For more information about Intergen, to download Advent: Something is Coming!, and to find out what is coming up next, visit Intergen.
