Advent and Joy in Children's Ministry
/Joy - I find this the hardest of the four weeks of Advent to pin down. It's not the same as happiness and I think sometimes we expect it to come in with a whoosh or a bang and stun us. But, I think far more often it's a quiet, warming, deep sensation that can move us. And sometimes it moves us so much that it spills over into actions and laughter and tears and movement (especially for children).
As Advent builds towards Christmas, the hope and peace we've experienced can lead us to experience joy. I know for many people, the annual Christmas pageant or the Christmas eve service with a young family and baby are particular joy bringers. Children can bring much joy as they celebrate the season with wonder and anticipation. And we bring much joy to them when we embrace their wonder and point it in the right direction - beyond the endless candy and treats and presents to the forever joy of Christ's birth and amazing story of how he lived among us as God.
You may have already had your pageant, if your church makes this part of its ministry. Or, you may be anticipating it and in the midst of planning and/or rehearsals. Whether you do a pageant or not, make sure that children can actively share in the joy of what is happening. Invite them to play a role in worship and the celebrations, no matter how small. Make sure that they hear the story in all its wonder and anticipation and understand how amazing it was - both how all this happened and in a very different time.
If you have been building your Advent wall, add JOY in big letters on a new spot and have some cut out bubbles or bubbles drawn on a large piece of paper that is on the wall. The bubbles remind us of the joy that bubbles up inside us and spread to others. You can write on some of them "God's joy means..." or "I feel joy when..." or just encourage children to write out learn the acrostic - J for Jesus, O for others and Y for you, reminding them that joy comes from putting Christ and others first. You could also challenge them to think of carols or hymns or praise songs with the word joy in them to write on the bubbles.
As you reflect on your children's ministry since September, give thanks for the moments of joy you've experienced and the joy that has been given and received among children, parents and leaders. It can be helpful, in the midst of the challenges, to take time to remember when God's joy has touched us and when the Spirit has been tangible and moving. If joy has been hard to find, pray for renewal, for fresh eyes, for the ability to keep things simple so that clutter doesn't detract from what the Spirit may be trying to do.
On this journey towards Christmas, as it gets busier and perhaps more stressful, take time to remember the gift of joy! And when you feel it, don't forget to let it spill onto those around you.