Homemade Advent Wreaths

Our church does the coolest thing....after the service on the first Advent Sunday they have supplies for all families to make their own Advent wreaths. We love this activity and look forward to celebrating Advent with as a family every year.

These wreaths are super easy to make all you need is:

some floral foam, a tin pie pan (any pan or dish would do), evergreen boughs, 4 candles (traditionally there are 3 purple candles and one pink but our church used white because you can get them super cheap at IKEA), and some pretty ribbon for a bow.

First, you put the foam in the tin and pour plenty of water on the foam to keep the greens fresh.

Second, you push the candles into the foam.

Then, you start putting the greens into the foam. I like to start at the bottom and go all around then build up another row, go around & around until it's all full and pretty.

There will be a few holes on the top so we cheat and just lay them across.

After all the holes are filled in, we find the perfect place for the bow.

Don't worry if you missed this last Sunday, just do it this week and then get on track this Sunday.
Week 1:
Light one candle. This candle represents Christ as the light of the world.

Scripture Readings:
John 1:1-5
Luke 1:26-38

Family Reflections:

• Did you know that the "word" is a special name for Jesus? It means that Jesus tells us what God is like.
• Mary must have been afraid and confused at first but she trusted God. Sometimes we're afraid  to do what we know God wants because people might laugh at us or be mad at us. Has there been a time where you trusted God and did the right thing even though you were confused or afraid?

Prayer:
Thank God for coming as one of us, offering us forgiveness for sin and an opportunity to spend eternity in God's loving presence.

Activity:
Take time this week to be Christ's light to others. Bring food to a food bank, bring a neighbor a treat, let your brother or sister have the first turn, help your parents by doing an extra chore.

Here were some of our friends' finished wreaths...