Advent activities counter holiday stress

4-week season helps
UMs prepare for Christ,
find true Christmas joy

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff writer
During a time of stress before Christmas, United Methodists are hoping to impart a bit of peace as we prepare for Christ’s birth.
For the first year, Universal City UMC plans to conclude Advent with a live nativity scene on the church grounds. The sole purpose is to refocus attendees’ minds on the real meaning of Christmas, said organizer Sally Friedli.
“We want to help fulfill our vision of offering Christ to all,” Friedli said. “We want to emphasize to all the true meaning of Christmas—God’s gift of his son to us.
“And we hope it will offer a peaceful, meditative time—a time to slow down from the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing for the Christmas season. Our world is a busy place. We hope this nativity scene will give people an opportunity to slow down and reflect on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and their own faith and then spread the good gews.”
Congregations throughout the Southwest Texas Conference are observing Advent—a four-week liturgical season that prepares Christians for the birth of Christ. Advent began Dec. 3 and continues through Dec. 24, the day before the 12-day Christmas celebration begins.
Universal City’s nativity scene, at 90 Winn Ave. Dec. 22, 23 and 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., is to be a still scene depicting the birth of Jesus from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Friedli said. The scene is to include wise men, angels, shepherds, live animals and other characters who greet the Christ child.
Traditional readings and hymns will be heard as well, Friedli said.
Church members plan to serve attendees hot chocolate, apple cider and other traditional warm concoctions.
Friedli said church administrators decided to push the event for the Advent season because it is an important time of year.
“The outcome, we hope, will be a rejuvenation of personal faith in every person who witnesses the nativity scene,” she said.
Bracken UMC, Garden Ridge, began an intergenerational Advent Journey to Bethlehem Nov. 19.
The journey, which continues every Sunday until Dec. 17, provides an opportunity for all generations at Bracken to celebrate the Christmas story together, church administrators said.
First UMC, Cedar Park, began Advent early with an “Angels Among Us” Christmas Bazaar Nov. 10 and 11.
The event, in its fifth year, included a lunch and tea room, where church members sold soup, sandwiches and desserts for nominal prices, said Sheryl McNichol, bazaar coordinator.
Members organized a craft fair featuring items made by United Methodists and an auction and bake shop, where everything was handmade, she added. All money raised went back to the church.
The church advertised the event in the Austin American-Statesman and mailed 200 postcards to the people who attended last year, McNichol said.
“This is a great event that brings people together,” McNichol said. “It helps everyone enjoy the holidays. They can meet and greet new people. It just brings the community itself together. We’re hoping it will also bring people to the church.”
Church members handed out pamphlets about the church to all those who attended, she said.
First UMC, Johnson City, has scheduled special worship celebrations during Advent and Christmas. Dec. 3 included a hanging of greens at both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. services.
The church plans a Christmas concert at the 10:50 a.m. service Sunday in Wesley hall.
Advent, derived from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming,” celebrates the birth of Christ and the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar.