Advent in Covid-19

As we prepare for Christ the King Sunday, it’s almost time to turn the calendar on the church year. I love Advent and the anticipation and preparation leading up to Christmas. In a pandemic how do we celebrate safely?

One thing my church has done is to make very simple Advent candle kits available (choice of battery operated or regular tealights, votive candle holders, tissue paper for decorating the outside in purple, pink and white and glue sticks) and we will be distributing the weekly candle lighting liturgies by e-mail and home delivery with our newsletters to those without internet. I wrote the liturgies this year intentionally making them without responses so that those alone at home can read it all themselves without feeling awkward about not having anyone else there.

I’m hopeful, as Covid case numbers continue to climb in this second wave, that we can still have individuals or couples come in as we record worship to do the candle lighting. I know how important it is for the congregation watching to see as many faces as possible besides mine. They miss each other so much. I’m also hopeful that we may have one or two weeks covered by people who video themselves reading the liturgy at home and using their own Advent wreath.

Our CE staff has taken our usual Advent afternoon at the church and moved it online into a zoom call, with packs of craft materials to be ready for pick up the day before. The event will be much different this year but the intent is still there to enjoy time together with crafts, carols and other activities. I have prepared a daily scripture reading guide which will be distributed to the congregation to encourage them to reflect on God’s promises and presence in this time. I chose scriptures primarily from Isaiah, with most mentioning the theme of “Do not be afraid”.

We are also going to attempt an online Christmas pageant, with our families being invited to video themselves doing a scene from the Christmas story at home. Our video techie will patch them all together and we will use it as part of our Christmas Eve service. I’m also hoping to challenge the congregation to phone others and sing them a carol or two as a family or individual.

Those are ideas that we have come up with or been inspired by from various sources. Here are some links for these and other ideas to make Advent come alive this year, especially if, like us, you are not meeting together for worship yet as a congregation:

Some great ideas from Tori Smit, the CNOB Synod Staff for Christian Education

Lots of activities from Illustrated Children’s Ministry

My prayer is that even as we feel that this Advent is unlike any other, perhaps we will recognize more keenly how much we need Christ, and how much the world needs the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love right now. I pray that as you prepare for this busy season, amplified by the need to re-think how to approach it in this very different time, that you also find the time to prepare yourself. How do you live as though Jesus is king in your life? And how do you make room for Him to come as your king and rule your heart?

May God make even this busy time of preparation rich with meaning for you.