A Wreath for All Ages
Annette Osborne
This is an activity I ran with my intergenerational small group last year, and it was lovely. I have included the script here, but also as a downloadable file you can print off. Adapt and adjust to suit your group, or family and whānau best!
Preparation:
You will need a wreath base. Mine is foam/oasis. Soak this in water a day before.
I chose to place one medium sized candle in the middle of my wreath. You might like to use the traditional four candles, (three are purple and one is red).
I invited each member, ranging in ages from 3 years old up, to bring along some greenery from their garden, as well as purple and red flowers. I also provided some.
I added a base of greenery to the wreath to make a start, as it can take time to fill it in from scratch, and small children will lose interest quick!
Bring matches and secateurs.
Set up:
Place the wreath in the centre of your group, where everyone can reach it. We put it on a coffee table and sat around it.
Script:
The custom of bringing a tree into your house at Christmas, started in the 16th century
But people would need to trim their Christmas trees to fit them in and to get the right shape.
What should they do with all the scraps?
The idea of making a wreath was born.
The wreath was born out of not throwing things away. As we make our wreath let it be a reminder to us to make good use of what God has given us, to use what we have rather than generate more to throw away once Christmas is over. s we approach Christmas we think about what we already have, in the face of consumerism and the drive for more, more, more.
A wreath is a circle. Does it have an end?
No, a circle has no end. It is often used to symbolise the eternal, the never ending. It's a good way to think about God. God has no ending and no beginning.
The green foliage that fills up the wreath comes from evergreen trees. They can survive even the harshest winter. So, the greenery has come to symbolise endurance and hope. Invite people to add some greenery to the wreath.
Let's add a candle to the centre of our wreath. Candles are used in advent, the time leading up to Christmas to symbolise the light that Jesus brought into the world. Invite someone to place the candle in the middle.
Traditionally four candles are put in the wreath. Three of them are purple to symbolise hope, peace and love. The final candle is red to symbolise the new life we have because of Jesus. Four candles, one for each week of advent. In our wreath we have flowers that are purple and red. Let's add them to the wreath as we remember hope, peace, love and new life in Jesus.
Let's light the candle and as we do we remember Jesus, light of the world.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.
(Henri Nouwen)
