More Meaningful Christmas and Advent

Do you long for a more meaningful Christmas? Do you wish Advent were truly a season of holy connectedness to God, to loved ones, to community, to self? This year set an intention to observe the season differently: keep preparations simple, pray more often, reach out to others, and allow yourself time and space for wonder and delight. If you need support, discuss with others ways you can resist getting swept away in our hectic holiday consumer culture. Find a trusted partner or two who can keep you accountable and support your efforts to simplify the season. It can be challenging to make Advent a time for deepening the spiritual walk and drawing closer to God. Simplify the season and increase a sense of wonder 1.  Use Ideas for Reclaiming Advent and Christmas from the Presbyterian Hunger Program in discussion with family and friends. 2.  Read Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben. I first read this delightful little book with a study group at church, and I return to it most years for inspiration and insight. 3.  Treat yourself to a retreat, such as  Cultivating Quiet (December 9-11, 2012), offered by Stony Point Center in NY. Step back from your busy schedule and explore what a time of silence can bring to your life. In an environment of mutual support, participants in this retreat are encouraged to empty themselves of agendas, obligations and goals, and just allow themselves to be, to become comfortable with the quiet and to experience what happens. Email Kitty Ufford-Chase with questions or to register. 4.  Use an Advent Calendar (or two): The 2012 Eco-Justice Advent Calendar by PC(USA) Environmental Ministries encourages daily caring for God's creation as a way to prepare for the coming of Jesus.  Fair Trade Chocolate Advent Calendar: Fair trade heart-shaped milk chocolates are found behind each door of Divine Chocolate's 2012 Advent calendar. Featuring the visual story of Divine as well as a nativity scene, with every purchase of the Advent Calendar through SERRV, a school notebook will be donated to children in chocolate cooperative Kuapa Kokoo's schools and communities in Ghana. 5.  Host a Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar at church. Encourage church members to shop their values by hosting a fair trade sale or holiday bazaar. Visit the PC(USA) Global Marketplace to find fair trade organizations related to the Presbyterian Church (USA). A sale can be as involved or as simple as you like. Consider groups founded by Presbyterians such as Pal Craftaid, Creations of Hope, Partners for Just Trade, and more. 6.  Please recommend materials to us. We love to hear and recommend to others what's been meaningful for you.  In hope, Melanie Hardison Enough for Everyone (800) 728-7228 x5626