Close to 50 people gathered at Saint Peter on Saturday, November 27, on the eve of the First Sunday of Advent, in order to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We participated in prayer, scripture study, fellowship, candlelight worship, and, most of all, we shared our faith with each other.

One of the ways we shared faith was by listening to Mo Willems’ story Waiting Is Not Easy (on Miss Mary’s book list) and sharing our feelings about waiting. We also created prayer rings that you can now see on display in the Worship Center.

What follows are the responses to those prompts. Whether you attended Advent Fest or not, you are encouraged to contribute. Leave a comment on this post with your answers or find the special paper in the Narthex Connection Center to create your own.

Waiting

Think about a time you excitedly watched and waited for something/someone. How did you feel about having to wait? What did you do to help you stay patient while waiting?

• I sometimes have to wait at the airport for my suitcase.-Logan

• I waited for the tram on Sandia Peak in Albuquerque with my mom and sister.-Annie

• Time moves slowly when you have to wait.  Sometimes the waiting overwhelms being present.  The way to wait sometimes takes not only discipline, but routine-starting and ending each day in prayer and quiet, thinking of how I am one step closer to something so distant.  Waiting is a journey where we check our progress on our way there.  (Are we there YET?)  I feel like scripture that turns us toward listening for God’s whispers in the silent space between, can make the wait transformative.-Allegra

• Time moves so slowly.  Anxiousness turns to impatience.  I do things to distract myself to stay patient while waiting.-anonymous

• I felt anxious as I waited.  I didn’t like the waiting.  I tried to keep myself busy.-Jo

• Waiting for a new dog is hard.  We felt excited but also kind of sad.  Maggie tries to not think about it. Fletcher too.-Maggie and Fletcher

• When I was pregnant I took lots of walks and naps. It was very hard at the end to stay patient, especially when it was hard to sleep! -Sara

• Once I baked a pie.  The pie took forever.  I ate cheese.  I felt better.-Jason

• I felt anxious.  I was excited for my friend to come over.  I was energized.-Gracie

• I feel excited for Christmas, and for Daddy to get home from work.-anonymous

• I feel bored when waiting for Dad.-anonymous

• I don’t like waiting because it makes me feel anxious to get there.  I did something else to take my mind off it.-Matthew

• Waiting makes me feel anxious as I anticipate what is to come.  I have to keep myself busy in order to stay patient.-Robyn

• I don’t like waiting because I get bored and it is hard.  Also, it is exciting to have the day come that you were waiting for.-Piper

• It is hard to be patient!  To help me be patient, I think about all the things that I love about that special person or place.  I make plans to be in the moment and appreciate every second of my time with that person.-Bethany

• I played.-Huck, 7

Hope

What is something that you hope for?  What is on your heart that you want to turn over to God?

• I hope that fewer people get Covid-19

• I hope my sister Sue has a wonderful Christmas this year.-Annie

• I am hoping Tommy can stay sober.

• I hope for good health.

• I hope the cousins are safe.  I love you.  Mila

• I am hoping for Christmas. Ava, 5

• I hope for family reconciliation.

• I hope for many joyful, happy, loving family memories.-Jodie

• I hope that God will follow us through these dark times and give us hope and positivity in life.-Gracie

• I hope for peace this Advent.  Bethany

• I hope I stay healthy. Matthew

• I hope for safe travels for grandma. Robyn.

• I hope for good health and prosperity.

• I hope for my birthday. Luca

• I hope for Christmas. Huck

• I hope we remember what Christmas is all about this season.

• We hope for Covid to end.

• I hope for Anni to not get any more stress fractures.

• I hope for Valentine's Day.

• I hope for snow.

• I hope for R, P healing.

• I hope for Ron to feel at peace.

• I hope for peace.

• I am hoping for peace and reconciliation for all people at Saint Peter.

Love

Who is someone whom you LOVE deeply? Write down how you will show that person your LOVE during Advent.

• Love the world.  Serve everyone.

• I love Mom, Sue, Jeff, B, Bec, Callisto, Roxie, D, T.

• I love Uncle Howard and Mommy.

• Give love to others with hugs and show love by telling them you love them.-Deb

• Show love by helping people.

• I love my family and my cousins.  I show them I love them by being kind.-Mila

• I love my daughters.  I can show them by listening, encouraging, and supporting them, no matter what!-Jodie

• I love my mom.  I can show here this by: hugging her, using my manners (please and thank you), and I can be thankful for all she does.-Gracie

• I can show love by being present with Todd and Will.-Bethany

• I love my family and I can show them I love them by being kind.-Piper

• I love Robyn and I can show her by being supportive.

• I love Matthew and Piper.  can show them by being patient and listening.-Robyn

• I love my mom and I show her by telling her I love her.-Matthew

• I love my family and friends.

• I love Poppy.

• I love my family and friends.-Huck

• I can show love to Silly by giving her my bracelet.-Verity

• I love Verity. I give her lots of time with me.

• I love my children and my grandchildren and my Saint Peter friends.

• I show Pop-Pop by giving him a kiss.-Verity

• I show Larry my love by helping him put on his socks.

• I love everyone in  our Saint Peter family!

Peace

When do you feel peace? What practice or ritual will you follow during Advent to be sure you find God’s peace?  

• PEACE ON EARTH TO ALL.

• God’s peace to all people.

• I will meditate and pray to find peace.

• Go for walks in nature.

• This Advent I will notice the beauty all around me, and thank God for the gifts so generously given.

• I read stories with my family to find peace.

• I find peace in listening to Christmas Carols

• Drawing pictures gives me peace.

• I feel peaceful when I mindfully breathe.

• What I can do to bring peace is take deep breaths and think.-Piper

• We can read and have a moment to ourselves.-Matthew

• Being mindful and still brings me peace.-Bethany

• The love of family and their continuous support brings me peace.

• Pray and remember the reason for the season.-Robyn

• Things that bring me peace are being hugged by my loved ones, being able to share my stress, and get it out of my chest.

• Our nightly Advent stories and quiet, reflective family time brings me peace.-Jodie

• I feel peace when a bird flies on my window and Art helps me feel peaceful.-Mila

• Hugs and love bring me peace.

• Miss Mary-Ava

Joy

What brings you JOY? What will you do during Advent to be sure to experience and share that JOY with others?

• Providing for and being there for others brings me joy.

• Playing with my friends and riding in the stroller.  Also playing with my brother.

• The voices of little children bring me joy.  On a clear evening, seeing the Milky Way.

• Joy to the World!

• My cat and my cousins and my family bring me joy.-Mila

• Papa and Nana

• Being at church with Gracie and having her tell me she’s missed it, loves being here, and doesn’t want to leave.-Gracie

• Things that bring me joy are my dogs, my family, my friends, my movie nights with my family, and lastly, the gifts I get.

• Spending time with Will and being creative brings me joy.-Bethany

• Being with family.  Sharing time.

• Something that brings me joy is my brother and our dog, Charlie.-Piper

• Playing with Piper and spending time with my family-Matthew

• Spending time with family.-Robyn

• Being around people I love brings me joy.

• My family

• My family brings me joy.

• Snuggles give me joy!-Verity

• Singing brings me joy-I can share joy by singing.

• Music and friends bring me joy.

• Reading gives me joy!

• Verity’s and Eva’s smiles give me joy!

• So joyful to be back together as we begin our Advent celebration.

• Joy For the World.

Now it’s your turn! Answer the questions from above in the comments of this post or find the colorful paper in the Narthex Connection Center to make your own ring. If you leave a comment, Miss Mary will make a ring for you.