As children prepare to greet the Prince of Peace, let’s help them to offer peace and love to others. This creative project does just that.

Even before Thanksgiving, advertisements pushing Christmas gifts begin. Children are inundated with what they “should” have, adults with what they “should” buy. Stress levels rise as people shop for gifts and attempt to keep children content until Christmas arrives. In today’s world, materialism gets in the way of the true celebration of the birth of Christ.
The good news is that you, the religion teacher, can help to bring back the true meaning of Christmas, which is love. One way to do this is through the Advent Wreath. The concept of this wreath is to involve both children and their families in activities that focus on the Christmas tradition of love and “peace on earth.” While the actual design of the wreath remains the same for all grade levels, the activities can be changed to meet different ages and abilities. Activities can include reading from the Bible, praying for others, writing letter to loved ones, and doing nice things for family, teachers, and friends.
Encourage the children in your class to do as much of the work on their own as possible when making their Advent wreaths, keeping in mind, of course, age levels, abilities, and time availability.

How to Proceed
The base of the wreath is twenty-five days. Since the actual days of Advent vary from year to year check the calendar to see how many extra days you’ll need to add at the top.

Materials needed for each wreath:
· One wire hanger
· One small candy cane for each day of Advent
· 72” of green felt cut 6” wide (For a class of ten children, you’ll need 2 yards of 60” wide green felt.)
· One piece of 14” red yarn or ribbon for each day
· One activity for each day of Advent
· Scisssors

1. Leaving the hook and neck of a hanger intact, bend the rest to form a circle. Set the hanger aside.
2. Mark the middle of the felt strip every three inches (23 marks). On each side of the markings, approximately one-half inch apart, cut a tiny slit.
3. Very close to each end edge, put o more slits totaling twenty-five pairs ot slits down the middle of the felt.
4. Tie the felt to the hanger with the yarn pieces by beginning at one end of the felt and tying it to the neck of the hanger. Insert a string of yarn from the front through one slit, around the hanger, and up through the back of the second slit. Tie a double knot and leave the ends free (these free ends will eventually be used to make a bow). Evenly gather the felt between each tie. Repeat until all 25 pairs of slits are tied to the hanger. Tie the days in excess of 25 on the neck.
5. Copy the activities suggested in this article or write your own. Have the children cut each activity and fold it to fit the candy cane.
6. Place a candy cane and folded activity over each knot. Tie a bow around them.
7. Have the students take their wreaths home and hang them in a prominent place—on the fireplace, on a doorknob, on the closet door. Each day untie an activity, and retie the bow. The cane serves as a reward for completing the activity.

1. The First Sunday of Advent: At mealtime, tell everyone about your Advent wreath and how it will help you show love and be more like Christ this Christmas season.
2. Ask a family member to read Luke 1:26—31 & 38 from the Bible with you. Find out what the Angel of the Lord told Mary the mother of Christ.
3. Write a note to your teacher today thanking him or her for teaching you.
4. Which of the Ten Commandments is the most important? Read Mark 12:30—31. Find ways to show love for others at school today.
5. Make a list of all the important people in your life. Choose one and write him or her a note explaining how much he or she means to you.
6. Set the dinner table without being asked.
7. Say a special prayer today for all those you love. Pray for each one by name.
8. Keep peace in your family; do not fight or argue with anyone today.
9. Say a prayer for peace between the leaders of all the countries of the world. Also, pray for the hungry.
10. Tell a member of your family (a brother or sister if possible) that you will make his or her bed today.
11. Ask your father to read Matthew 5:3—10 with you, the Beatitudes. Talk about their meanings.
12. Read Matthew 7:12, the Golden Rule. What can you do to practice the Golden Rule at School today?
13. Write a letter to a friend or relative who is far away. In the letter, tell how much you miss him or her. Mail it today.
14. Write a note to your mother and say how much you love and appreciate her.
15. Say a prayer for the priest of your parish. Give him a hug and thank him for his service throughout the year.
16. Write a note to your father and tell him how much you love and appreciate him.
17. Read Mark 12:41—44. Ask your family to name gifts that don’t cost money but that make them happy.
18. Help with the dishes tonight without being asked.
19. Ask a member of your family to read Luke 2:1—7 with you. Where was Christ born?
20. Ask a member of your family to read Luke 2:8—14 with you. Who heard about the birth of Christ from an angel?
21. Read Luke 2:15—20. Where did the shepherds go?
22. Ask a member of your family to read Luke 2:25—33 with you.
23. Ask your father what you might do for him and then cheerfully do it.
24. Ask a member of your family to read Matthew 2:1-7 with you.
25. Read Matthew 2:9—11. What gifts did the visitors from the East bring? Use a dictionary to find out more about the gifts.
26. Remember that everyone is an important part of your family. Let someone else choose what TV programs you’ll watch or games you’ll play today.
27. List all the ways you can help on Christmas Day to make the day easier for the person who prepares the Christmas dinner. Put the list where you will find it on Christmas and remember to do all it says.
28. On December 25th, remember to thank Jesus for all the things you received for his birthday.
Merry Christmas! May your class realize that some gifts do not cost money and are even more fun to give and receive than purchased gifts.

Linda Osmundson, a former teacher, art docent, catechist, and religion coordinator, now lives in Ft. Collins, Colorado. She used this wreath with her own children as well as with her religion classes.

Religion Teacher’s Journal • November/December 1999, 36-37