Advent Selah & Christmas Around the World
December is one of the busiest seasons of the year. In our hurriedness, we can miss out on the Advent invitation to sit with our laments and longings as we wait for the Messiah to come and make all things new. As such, each Advent, the Mission Cincinnati makes space to pause (“selah”), slow down, contemplate the coming of Jesus, and enter into His presence. This year, we will also make space for our children to celebrate the season with some fun seasonal activities in a space we’re calling “Christmas Around the World.”
Saturday, December 6th
Program from 9 AM - 11 AM | Lunch from 11 AM - noon
Selah
Our Selah team (Rev. Kristen, Brian Gardner, Jamie Noyd, Rebekah Edwards, and Jenna Yeager) guide us in several prayer practices that will help us press into the season of Advent. As this day also happens to be St. Nicholas day, we’ll spend some time thinking about how the gift of Jesus in our lives inspires us to respond in thankfulness and with gift-giving as we anticipate Jesus’ return and new creation. We’ll also have some time to enjoy some quiet, contemplative music.
Christmas Around the World
While parents are enjoying the Advent Selah in the sanctuary, children ages 4+ will have a Christmas Around the World Party in the Godly Play Room. We’ll spend some time finding out how children around the world celebrate this special time of year welcoming Jesus to earth. We will look at Nativity sets and art from around the world, listen to international Christmas music, share cookies you baked, and engage in fun Christmas activities like breaking a pinata and making a Ukrainian craft. You will not want to miss this fun party with your Mission friends!
NOTE: When you sign up your family for the Selah, you can say what country you would like to bring a treat from or Ms. Christine will contact you and assign a country and share a kid-friendly cookie recipe for you to bake and bring. If you are a family with food allergies, we would love for you to bring an allergy-friendly recipe to be shared which also makes it safe for your child.
Finally, as Dec. 6th is St. Nicholas day, we will talk about generosity and in the tradition of Iceland, we will do a book exchange. Please wrap a book (keep it under $5 or make it used) and we will do a book exchange grab bag. You can do it 1 per family or for each child in your family—your choice.
Nursery
We will be providing nursery care for those children not quite ready for the structure of the Christmas Around the World Party. We suggest ages 3 & younger but there is flexibility so please contact Christine Mitchell at christine@missioncincinnati.org to discuss or with questions.
Brunch Together
After the various morning programs, we will all join together for a festive brunch from 11 AM- noon in either the lounge or downstairs in the fellowship hall depending on total numbers.