Focal verse
“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people’” (Luke 2:10).
Reflection
The best things seem always to come from telling stories. Last summer vacation, while browsing a local bookstore, I found a book about hosting family book clubs. I immediately bought it and asked my kids if they’d like to help me plan.
They both said yes, and together we rattled off books we could read with friends.
Fast-forward to returning home and life moving on. I forgot about the dream of starting a book club. But my son didn’t.
“When are we going to have that book club, Mama?” he asked me. I’m so glad he didn’t forget.
Now we’re three books into gathering with our friends. We’ve met at the park to talk about books, make crafts and be with others who love reading and stories. We never lack for conversation.
I love going to our local library and seeing our next chapter book on hold by multiple families. I love that, while I was walking through the hall of my kids’ school, two children stopped me to explain that they were reading the second book in the Hatchet series. I love that one of the girls will tell others that she’s in a book club. I love planning with my kids.
This December, I’m thinking about stories and what it means to tell them in community. During Advent, we get to be participants in the greatest story ever told: the story of Jesus’ birth; the story of love coming down. When we tell stories, we get immersed in language and beauty and hope and imagination. We get to imagine a world where goodness prevails and lives are healed.
Followers of Jesus can never tire of hearing and telling the story. Our worlds are expanded when we immerse ourselves in the power of story. This Advent season, try to fit in reading Scripture together as a family. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be planned. Just grab a Bible and read together. Let the story become a part of your life.
Practices
- Glenys Nellist has a wonderful Advent devotional book for families to read together each day: ’Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season (Zonderkidz, 2021).
- Tell the Christmas story as a family. You can act out parts of the story, wear costumes and enjoy seeing each other play different parts.
Prayer practice
Make Mary’s words your prayer this month. Before dinner or at bedtime, or even as you’re heading out for the day, take turns reading the Magnificat:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:46-50).
