Alternative Advent Story

I've seen pictures of and heard about an alternative version to the Godly Play Advent story in several places on the internet. David Pritchard, a Godly Play trainer in Spain, was kind enough to let me use one of his pictures to show you. 

Peter Privett, who is a trainer of GP trainers in England, has written the text to this story. It can be downloaded on the Godly Play UK page. (Scroll down a bit to the post by Judy on November 28, 2013.)

For those of you who come from non-liturgical backgrounds or countries and traditions that don't use the liturgical colors and Sundays of the Western Church, then this could possibly be an alternative. 

I also love how Bethlehem is in the middle and all of the figures are moving toward it. And, of course, the paths form a cross, which is another wonderful connection between the Infant Jesus and the adult who gave his life on the cross. 

I've love to know what you think of this idea! Also, if you have told this version, please give us some feedback in the comments.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! 

(Even if it's a few days late!) 

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve here in Berlin with good friends and fireworks. (You can read about our New Year's traditions here.)

Frohes Neues Jahr!

С Новым Годом! 

Looking Back at 2013

2013 was a really full year! When I look back, I am so thankful for all the things that I got to do and experience and all of the people that God brought into my life.

Here are a few of my favorite posts: 

Godly Play Trainers' Training

Although the actual training was in Dec. of last year, I've spent all of 2013 putting what I've learned into practice.

The Legacy of MLK Jr. in my life
Some personal thoughts about about how Dr. King's life and work influenced me.

Godly Play: St. Columba

Continuing my quest to work through the Saint stories in Volume 7. This is probably my favorite story so far.

More Sacred Spaces for Children

Visiting this Godly Play and Waldorf-inspired church in Houston was a highlight of my year.

Godly Play Film in English
Translating this film for GP Germany was both a joy and a load of hard work!

After-School Club: "Me + You = Us?"

This might have been my favorite after-school club ever.

Interactive Autumn Nature Table
Definitely my favorite of all the nature tables I have created.

Godly Play Training in Minsk

This was a milestone for me - my first time leading a Godly Play training.

German History Museum

A fun afternoon with my family in the greatest city in the world.

Godly Play with Seniors

I love exploring the possibilities with Godly Play.

Art Project: Nativity in a Box
One of my best art projects.

Ideas for celebrating Epiphany

Celebrating Epiphany is wonderful way to officially end the Christmas season. The feast commemorates the visit of the Magi to Baby Jesus sometime after his birth. And as the Godly Play story says, "Every year they come too late, after the baby has been born . . . That's why we think about them on January 6!"

Here are some ideas that I have done in past years:

Warm / Cool Color Epiphany Star 

This simple art project leaves a lot of room for the children to develop and explore on their own. I left the star in the sample blank as symbol of the space inside us that God's revelation can fill. 

Tell the Godly Play Epiphany story 

Make an Epiphany cake

The link to the recipe is in the post above!

Montessori gift-wrapping tray exercise

For preschool children, this activity develops coordination 

and reminds the children of the gifts that Baby Jesus received.

If you have any other ideas or links, please share them in the comments!

Coming Close to the Mystery of Christmas

You may have noticed that I wrote less frequently during Advent than I did last year. There is a reason for that. Last year, I became acutely aware that although I was teaching children to come close to the mystery of Christmas through stillness and peace, I was doing a lousy job of it myself. Sure, there was a lot to be done as with every Advent season: my daughter's birthday that always falls between 3rd and 4th Advent, the GP Trainer's Training in Holland, the Advent Club and the usual rush to find presents and decorate the house. But I found myself not being really centered in Christ and His peace, and just worrying about a lot about things that in hindsight weren't that important.

This year, I ended up experiencing the most meaningful Advent that I had in many years. Several things helped with this, but the main thing was that I went into Advent with the mindset that it was okay if I didn't get everything done and a determination not to let the business take over my life.

I chose a couple of "mentoring" aids to shepherd me through this time:

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri Nouwen - This book has short devotions and scripture passages for each day based on Nouwen's writings. It also has a suggested "activity" for each day. I love that the activities vary and appeal to different spiritual styles. For example, some are symbolic, while others are action-oriented. I did not put pressure on myself to do each activity, but rather chose the ones that were most meaningful to me. The book takes you through Christmastide, so I am still reading it.

The liturgy from Creighton University's Praying Advent and Celebrating Christmas

and the Liturgy of the Hours from Divine Office

(Both of these are Catholic resources, and although I am not Catholic, I firmly believe in the Worldwide Church and allow myself to be enriched by many different Christian traditions.)

Then, I carved out time each morning and most evenings to pray and read.

These simple prayers and devotions helped me to remember what was important and actually practice Advent in a fresh way. Now, I am using them to enter into Christmastide as well.

Another thing that helped was that I bought the majority of gifts, especially the ones that needed to be mailed to relatives in the States, in November.: ) And I didn't allow myself to worry about finding the things that could be bought at the last minute.

And I chose to limit and simplify the preparations for Advent Club. We had less art projects and more open-ended stations. That helped immensely with the stress-load!

There were still personal and financial crises during this time, but there was an inner peace and strength from God to deal with them that was not there last year. 

As mentors of children, it is so important that we also tend to and cultivate our own spiritual lives. Advent is over, but it is still Christmastide. If something was missing in your Advent experience, then allow yourself to be drawn closer to God during the rest of this Christmas season. And then think about what might help you to grow during the "green and growing" Sundays before Lent.

Giotto's Adoration of the Magi, Source: 12.Koerbe.de

A Christmas Eve Tradition

Jedes Jahr am Heiligabend besucht unsere Familie das Krankenhaus in der Nachbarschaft um  Weihnachtslieder mir den Patienten dort zu singen. Davor brunchen wir mit der Gemeindefamlie und danach gehen wir gemeinsam los zum Krankenhaus, wo auch andere Freunde uns treffen um auch mitzusingen. One of our favorite Christmas traditions is on Christmas Eve. First, we brunch with our church family,  and afterwards we join them and a few other friends for Christmas carolling at our neighborhood hospital.

Es macht natürlich gar kein Spass im Krankenhaus am Heiligabend zu sein. Deswegen hat eine Freundin, die auch Krankenschwester ist, diese Idee ausgedacht gemeinsam mit den Patienten zu singen. Wir gehen schon 5 Jahre hin um die Hoffnung von Weihnachten weiterzugeben und den Patienten zu zeigen, dass sie nicht allein sind. Being in the hospital isn't much fun on Christmas Eve, so a friend in our church, who also is a nurse at the hospital, came up with the idea of singing with the patients to spread a little Christmas cheer and remind them that they are not alone at this time of year.

Das Krankenhaus ist katholisch und die Mitarbeiter geben sich Mühe um eine weihnachtliche Stimmung zu schaffen, z.B. durch die teilweise handgemachte Deko wie man unten sieht. The hospital we sing at is a Catholic one, and the staff always put up lovely, handmade decorations like the stars below. 

Die Patienten reagieren unterschiedlich auf das Singen. Manche lachen und singen mit. Andere sind von den Liedern berührt und haben danach Tränen in den Augen.  The patients all have different reactions. Sometimes they laugh and sing along with us. Sometimes they are touched by the songs and begin to cry. It is a blessing to share in their joys and sorrows at this time of year. 

Und unsere Kinder freuen sich jedes Jahr darauf. Es ist einfach ein Teil des Heiligabends für sie. And our children always look forward to this part of the day as well.

Wir haben in Deutschland 2 offizielle Tage für Weihnachen gewidmet. Wir geniessen die Ruhe in der Stadt, das Ausschlafen, und schönes Essen. Ich wünsche euch noch 12 schöne, besinnliche Tage von Weihnachten und hoffe, dass ihr auf eure Art u. Weise bis 6.1 gut feiern könnt! We have two official days of Christmas in Germany, so we are again enjoying sleeping late and eating great food. I wish you a wonderful 12 days of Christmas and hope that you will celebrate in your own way all the way to Jan. 6!

P.S. Herzlichen Dank an Benjamin für die wunderschönen Fotos in dieser und der vorherigen Post!

Merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten!

Merry Christmas!

Frohe Weihnachten!