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The Advent Calendar! - Aga - 12-01-2019
![[Image: 2019-advent-calendar.png?width=1442&height=489]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/299299765059846144/649108307268730895/2019-advent-calendar.png?width=1442&height=489)
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Aga - 12-01-2019
Welcome to the 2019 Advent Calendar
Every Day, from the First to the 24th of December, the Ministry of Regional Affairs will be running an event for each day, in the South Pacific's Discord Server.
The Timetable for the advent calendar can be found here.
You can join the Discord Server here.
Every Day, from the First to the 24th of December, the Ministry of Regional Affairs will be running an event for each day, in the South Pacific's Discord Server.
The Timetable for the advent calendar can be found here.
You can join the Discord Server here.
NOTICE:
Please Do NOT post in this Thread, unless you are organising an activity.
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Qwert - 12-01-2019
Day 1 - Christmas Tree
We're decorating our Christmas tree! Chek it out in the Discord Server here.
Update: Here's the result!
![[Image: tree_1.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/649612327221723151/650908093441376297/tree_1.png)
We're decorating our Christmas tree! Chek it out in the Discord Server here.
Update: Here's the result!
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Heliseum - 12-02-2019
Day 2 - Winter Bucket List
What do you want to do this winter? Build a snowman? Cook your family's holiday dinner? Maybe you just want to sleep the season away? Come share your winter bucket lists with us on the Discord Server, and after that, take a look at what all your fellow TSPers are up to!
If you need inspiration, here's a sarcastic example:
What do you want to do this winter? Build a snowman? Cook your family's holiday dinner? Maybe you just want to sleep the season away? Come share your winter bucket lists with us on the Discord Server, and after that, take a look at what all your fellow TSPers are up to!
If you need inspiration, here's a sarcastic example:
An Honest Winter Bucket List
- Take a lesson from the bears and spend most of the season in hibernation.
- Gripe about people putting Christmas lights up too early.
- Forget to get presents until the night before, inevitably regifting random objects from around the house.
- Pretend to lose the ugly sweater your mother knitted you years ago.
- Dream about living in Australia, until you remember the snakes.
- Meet several relatives you didn't realize you had, and will probably never see again.
- Start a nice, warm fire with all the Christmas Cards you never opened.
- Assume your scale is "broken" after it shows you how much weight you gained over the holidays.
- Stick to your New Year's resolution... for about a week.
- See Roavin say RL>NS for the millionth time.
- Hear the same songs on the radio over and over and over and over...
- Navigate the minefield that are family dinners. A few white lies won't hurt, right?
- Finally, come celebrate with your TSP family. There's less drama here, we promise!
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Seraph - 12-03-2019
Day 3 - Multicultural Holidays I - Advent
This time of year is broadly host to a whole assortment of holidays and festivals across many different religions and traditions and we'd like to explore and celebrate the existence of a few of these throughout the course of our Advent calendar. Where better to start, however, than with Advent itself?
For many, the season of Advent is synonymous with Advent calendars and the anticipation of receiving Christmas presents or eating Christmas dinner or Christmas TV or enjoying time with family and not much else. For Christians, however, Advent is an important season in it's own right. As we look towards Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ, so too do we look towards his coming again. Advent, then, is a season of reflection, of watching and waiting, which is where the idea of marking it off on calendars or candles comes from.
Another advent tradition is the Advent wreath, which is commonly found in Anglican and Catholic churches. There are several variations of this tradition, but the general idea is that candles are lit around the wreath throughout the season, often focusing on different aspects of the Christmas story, or of faith in general.
I had the pleasure of helping out in my daughter's Sunday School this weekend and so took part in their colouring exercise, which was to colour in an Advent wreath. I had the foresight to take a picture:
For many, the season of Advent is synonymous with Advent calendars and the anticipation of receiving Christmas presents or eating Christmas dinner or Christmas TV or enjoying time with family and not much else. For Christians, however, Advent is an important season in it's own right. As we look towards Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ, so too do we look towards his coming again. Advent, then, is a season of reflection, of watching and waiting, which is where the idea of marking it off on calendars or candles comes from.
Another advent tradition is the Advent wreath, which is commonly found in Anglican and Catholic churches. There are several variations of this tradition, but the general idea is that candles are lit around the wreath throughout the season, often focusing on different aspects of the Christmas story, or of faith in general.
I had the pleasure of helping out in my daughter's Sunday School this weekend and so took part in their colouring exercise, which was to colour in an Advent wreath. I had the foresight to take a picture:
![[Image: xWqHhBZ.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/xWqHhBZ.jpg)
This version of the Advent wreath focuses on aspects of faith, with the central candle being about Jesus himself. One additional candle is lit through each of the Sundays of Advent. We always ask a child to come and help light it each Sunday.
Lots of Christians celebrate Advent in different ways. There are Advent carol services, Advent reflections, special Advent devotional programs to help people focus on the meaning of the season and so on. For myself, I enjoy going through the office of Morning Prayer before breakfast each morning. The liturgy of Morning Prayer is one I find quite helpful, but I especially like it during Advent, especially with it's references to 'the dawn from on high' from Zechariah's song in Matthew. I'd like to share one of the prayers from that at the end.
But first, what is your experience of Advent? If you're a Christian, we'd especially like to hear from you, but also if you're not - please visit our Discord server and chat about your experiences! Also, if you celebrate another kind of winter festival, please get in touch with me and you could help inform the next Multicultural Holidays day!
Now, here's one of the opening prayers of the Anglican office of morning prayer for Advent
Lots of Christians celebrate Advent in different ways. There are Advent carol services, Advent reflections, special Advent devotional programs to help people focus on the meaning of the season and so on. For myself, I enjoy going through the office of Morning Prayer before breakfast each morning. The liturgy of Morning Prayer is one I find quite helpful, but I especially like it during Advent, especially with it's references to 'the dawn from on high' from Zechariah's song in Matthew. I'd like to share one of the prayers from that at the end.
But first, what is your experience of Advent? If you're a Christian, we'd especially like to hear from you, but also if you're not - please visit our Discord server and chat about your experiences! Also, if you celebrate another kind of winter festival, please get in touch with me and you could help inform the next Multicultural Holidays day!
Now, here's one of the opening prayers of the Anglican office of morning prayer for Advent
Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In your tender compassion
the dawn from on high is breaking upon us
to dispel the lingering shadows of night.
As we look for your coming among us this day,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In your tender compassion
the dawn from on high is breaking upon us
to dispel the lingering shadows of night.
As we look for your coming among us this day,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Midand - 12-04-2019
Day 4 - Corrupt A Christmas Wish!
Feeling wishful?
Feeling malicious?
Feeling both?
Well this event is for you! We're doing a Christmas spin on the "Corrupt-A-Wish" game, where one person wishes for something, while the next poster will attempt to ruin that wish. (within the parameters of the original wish)
It's fun!
Check it out in our Discord server!
![[Image: oA8kWic.png]](https://i.imgur.com/oA8kWic.png)
Feeling wishful?
Feeling malicious?
Feeling both?
Well this event is for you! We're doing a Christmas spin on the "Corrupt-A-Wish" game, where one person wishes for something, while the next poster will attempt to ruin that wish. (within the parameters of the original wish)
It's fun!
Check it out in our Discord server!
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Seraph - 12-05-2019
Day 5 - Christmas Party RP
It's Thursday 5th Deccember 2019, Christmas is less than three weeks away and you are ready to have a good time!
Fortunately, then, you've just received an invitation for an instant Christmas Party on the regional Discord server and the Regional Message board. It looks like the Ministry of Regional Affairs has spared no expense, because both are decked out in crystalline fairy lights, glitterball chandeliers, floating candles and more Christmas decorations than you can even name (like, what do you call those retro, coloured foil concertina things, anyway?) There are llamas to pet, SPIT (and other drinks, alcoholic and non-) on tap and all your favourite Christmas music is playing, just waiting for you.
And you, you are the best bit yet, because with the invitation is also your outfit and there couldn't be one more fashionable, more festive, more you! You can't wait to put it on and strut your stuff.
So, hurry up and get ready, you don't want to be too fashionably late, now, do you?
Fortunately, then, you've just received an invitation for an instant Christmas Party on the regional Discord server and the Regional Message board. It looks like the Ministry of Regional Affairs has spared no expense, because both are decked out in crystalline fairy lights, glitterball chandeliers, floating candles and more Christmas decorations than you can even name (like, what do you call those retro, coloured foil concertina things, anyway?) There are llamas to pet, SPIT (and other drinks, alcoholic and non-) on tap and all your favourite Christmas music is playing, just waiting for you.
And you, you are the best bit yet, because with the invitation is also your outfit and there couldn't be one more fashionable, more festive, more you! You can't wait to put it on and strut your stuff.
So, hurry up and get ready, you don't want to be too fashionably late, now, do you?
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Seraph - 12-07-2019
Day 7 - Multicultural Holidays II - Hanukkah
It's time for the second of our Multicultural Holiday focuses and, thanks to this poll conducted by our gloriously biscuity Delegate, we now know that the second most-celebrated December holiday in TSP is the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is an eight night-and-day-long festival in commemoration of the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Maccabean Rebellion against the Greek Seleucid Empire in second century BCE, as described in the books of First and Second Maccabees. These are scriptural or Biblical books which are interestingly not considered part of the Hebrew or most-common Protestant canons, but are part of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox canons. There are many Rabbinical sources for the origins of Hannukah, however, and there’s even a reference to Jesus celebrating it in the Christian New Testament.
Traditionally, the eight-day celebration is in commemoration of a miracle which is said to have occurred after the rebellion. The Jewish forces had reclaimed the temple after the Seleucid Emperor, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, had desecrated it with a statue to Zeus and the sacrifice of (ceremonially unclean) pigs at the altar. The temple was to be cleansed and a festival held, but there was only enough ceremonial oil to burn in the temple’s menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days (long enough for new oil to be pressed)!
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is an eight night-and-day-long festival in commemoration of the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Maccabean Rebellion against the Greek Seleucid Empire in second century BCE, as described in the books of First and Second Maccabees. These are scriptural or Biblical books which are interestingly not considered part of the Hebrew or most-common Protestant canons, but are part of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox canons. There are many Rabbinical sources for the origins of Hannukah, however, and there’s even a reference to Jesus celebrating it in the Christian New Testament.
Traditionally, the eight-day celebration is in commemoration of a miracle which is said to have occurred after the rebellion. The Jewish forces had reclaimed the temple after the Seleucid Emperor, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, had desecrated it with a statue to Zeus and the sacrifice of (ceremonially unclean) pigs at the altar. The temple was to be cleansed and a festival held, but there was only enough ceremonial oil to burn in the temple’s menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days (long enough for new oil to be pressed)!
![[Image: hanukkah-menorah-3.jpg]](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/hanukkah-menorah-3.jpg)
A Hanukkah menorah.
The festival is celebrated from the evening of the 25th of Kislev in the Jewish lunar calendar. That means that it occurs at a different time every year in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Hanukkah begins at evening on the 22nd December.
Traditionally, Hanukkah is celebrated through a series of daily rituals with family and the Jewish community, including additional prayers and the kindling of the Hannukah lights - the special nine-candle menorah which has a candle for each evening plus an additional attendant candle, traditionally for illumination. These are lit every night, starting with just the one and lighting an extra candle each night, much like the candles of an Advent wreath for Christians.
Gifts are also often given each night and, since a festival is no fun without food, fried foods such as latkes and jelly doughnuts are often eaten, in commemoration of the importance of the oil.
There’s no substitute, however, for hearing how people actually celebrate a festival themselves, so, if you’re Jewish, please share with us your Hanukkah memories and traditions. We’d love to learn more! If you’re not Jewish, why not trying reading up a bit more on the origins of the festival, or perhaps you could try a traditional Hanukkah recipe*?
*link chosen for the recipes alone. I am not an expert on this.
Traditionally, Hanukkah is celebrated through a series of daily rituals with family and the Jewish community, including additional prayers and the kindling of the Hannukah lights - the special nine-candle menorah which has a candle for each evening plus an additional attendant candle, traditionally for illumination. These are lit every night, starting with just the one and lighting an extra candle each night, much like the candles of an Advent wreath for Christians.
Gifts are also often given each night and, since a festival is no fun without food, fried foods such as latkes and jelly doughnuts are often eaten, in commemoration of the importance of the oil.
There’s no substitute, however, for hearing how people actually celebrate a festival themselves, so, if you’re Jewish, please share with us your Hanukkah memories and traditions. We’d love to learn more! If you’re not Jewish, why not trying reading up a bit more on the origins of the festival, or perhaps you could try a traditional Hanukkah recipe*?
*link chosen for the recipes alone. I am not an expert on this.
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Midand - 12-08-2019
Day 8 - Spam Game - Christmas Gifts!
'Tis the season of giving all around the world!
For this particular day of the Advent Calendar, there is a guest of honour at TSP's Christmas party.
Each of you must bring a gift that the guest would enjoy, but all of you have a competitive edge for some reason this year.
Find out more on our Discord channel!
![[Image: C8FTpeV.png]](https://i.imgur.com/C8FTpeV.png)
'Tis the season of giving all around the world!
For this particular day of the Advent Calendar, there is a guest of honour at TSP's Christmas party.
Each of you must bring a gift that the guest would enjoy, but all of you have a competitive edge for some reason this year.
Find out more on our Discord channel!
RE: The Advent Calendar! - Seraph - 12-11-2019
Day 11 - Multicultural Holidays III - Festivus
Just like Christmas, these Multicultural Holiday focuses come around awfully quickly!
Well, based on our recent regional poll, the third most popular December holiday is Festivus! Festivus is a secular parody holiday celebrated on 23rd December and made famous (as well as being partly reshaped) by a 1997 episode of the US sitcom Seinfeld, although it predates the show by quite a bit, having been invented by episode writer Dan O'Keefe's father, Daniel, in the 60s.
Festivus involves several key "traditions": a plain aluminium "Festivus pole", a Festivus dinner, the "Airing of Grievances" during dinner and "Feats of Strength" right after. Declaring easily-explainable events "Festivus miracles" is also encouraged.
For some, Festivus is an act of anti-comercialism, for others it's a secular rebellion and for yet others still it's an act of cynicism. Your mileage may vary.
Well, based on our recent regional poll, the third most popular December holiday is Festivus! Festivus is a secular parody holiday celebrated on 23rd December and made famous (as well as being partly reshaped) by a 1997 episode of the US sitcom Seinfeld, although it predates the show by quite a bit, having been invented by episode writer Dan O'Keefe's father, Daniel, in the 60s.
Festivus involves several key "traditions": a plain aluminium "Festivus pole", a Festivus dinner, the "Airing of Grievances" during dinner and "Feats of Strength" right after. Declaring easily-explainable events "Festivus miracles" is also encouraged.
For some, Festivus is an act of anti-comercialism, for others it's a secular rebellion and for yet others still it's an act of cynicism. Your mileage may vary.
![[Image: Festivus_Pole.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Festivus_Pole.jpg)
A Festivus pole.
There are lots of other celebrations at this time of year and we've barely scraped the surface, so if you celebrate Festivus or if you have another tradition at this time of year, we want to hear from you! Let us know in our dedicated Discord channel!