Celebrating God's Presents

Advent is a time when we prepare to celebrate God made real, God among us, in the person of Jesus.  Between now and Christmas, you and your fellow volunteers could prepare for Christ’s coming by sharing the moments in which each one of you recognizes God’s presence among us.  Here’s a simple activity to do with your fellow volunteers in your community or place of service.

Decorate a small cardboard box using colored paper, markers, photos, cutouts from newspapers or magazines, or whatever other supplies are available.  Cut a small slit in the box’s lid.  Cut up a bunch of small slips of Christmas-colored paper.

Between now and Christmas, invite volunteers to make a special effort to be aware of ‘God with us,’ and briefly describe on the colored pieces of paper moments when they gained some insight or experiencing of that presence.  Place the recorded moments experiences in the decorated box.  Encourage each person to make at least two or three additions to the box per week.   

Here are a few examples:

When you saw one of your housemates or co-workers put the needs of another before their own.

How you and a friend opened up and shared stories late into the night.

Peace and contentment experienced during a beautiful sunset or snowstorm.

An uplifting quote from a book you’re reading.

A phone call from a close friend you really miss.

A moment where you felt very close to God, such as during group prayer or a liturgy with your community.  

Choose a time on Christmas day (or right before Christmas if your group can’t meet on the 25th) to gather with your fellow volunteers for about an hour.  Each person take a turn drawing a slip of paper from the box and reading it aloud to the rest of the group.  If everyone agrees, after each slip is read the person who wrote that individual entry can identify his or herself and elaborate on the note.  Then, give others a chance to share their reactions and any related thoughts.  After all the ‘moments of God’s presence’ are shared, attach a loop of string to them.  Hang these new ornaments on your Christmas tree or around the house as a decorative reminder of God’s “presents.”