I'm just going to put this out there now: I've never really celebrated Advent.
Whether as a child myself, or with my own little ones now, I just haven't.
It's not that I don't want to; on the contrary, I really do! The commercialism and insanity of the Christmas season (all 2.5 months of it, or so it seems) get under my skin. The fact that year after year, I allow myself - and, by extension, my family - to get swept up in all things that I find distasteful about Christmas in modern America is a testament to our complacency with the ways of this world.
Sure, we talk often with our kids about the spiritual significance of Christmas. We are active in our church body, where preparations for Christmas programs begin in November as the kids learn their songs and scripture memory verses that they'll sweetly perform for their adoring family fans. Jesus Christ - his birth, death, resurrection, and life within us - is ever present in our daily conversations year-round.
And yet, an oft-sung chorus ringing on my kids' lips nowadays consist of reminders about what they want for Christmas. Oy.
So, here I am, she who has never honored Advent with intentionality, writing a blog post on ideas for, well, honoring Advent. Because this year, we're going to do it. Even if it's just in a small way, we're taking baby steps toward aptly preparing our hearts to celebrate the baby that changed the world.
I canvassed our school community to discover some of our Veritas families' favorite ways to celebrate Advent, and so, without further ado, here are seven ideas for you and your family to honor the season leading up to Christmas day.
1) Daily Devotions
Whether or not devotions are a part of your daily rituals already, Advent is a great time to be a ltitle more intentional about reading the Word together and diving deeper into who this Savior is that was born in Bethlehem. Here are some favorite Advent devotions mentioned by Veritas families (most of which are available as a Kindle e-book for those of you who don't have time to buy a hard copy):
- Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas
- The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Calendar
- Hallelujah: A Journey through Advent with Handel's Messiah
- Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional
- Or, for a free Advent devotional guide going through the names of Jesus, try this one from ForTheFamily.org.
2) Jesse Tree
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord."
Isaiah 11:1-3
Just as Israel has longed for centuries for their Messiah - whose origins are from old (Micah 5:2) - to come forth from the line of Jesse and King David, so we can get a fuller picture of God's perfect plan for redemption by looking at the lineage of Jesus from creation to his birth. Each daily ornament corresponds with a different scripture from Old Testament stories of Israel's history, Jesus's family lineage, prophecies, and the first Nativity story. You can choose to buy a pre-made ornament set, get crafty and make some yourself, or keep it simple with free printables that your kids can color. Then, hang the ornaments on your exisiting Christmas tree, or use a smaller tree, a vase with branches, or even a paper or felt poster.
3) Advent Candle
Veritas parent Kathy McClure says on her blog Frugal Lancaster, "my mom always had a count-down advent candle and I love continuing that tradition. The kids love to watch it burn at dinner each night, and to take turns blowing it out. Plus, I think kids are calmer and quieter when a candle is lit, and we’ll do anything for a peaceful meal!"
(Don't want to buy an Advent candle? Make your own simple one!)
Your family may want to do your Advent devotional reading along with your daily countdown candle lighting, even over dinner (the devotional can provide great dinner table conversation as you watch the candle burn).
4) St. Nicholas Day
Want to put some flesh and bone (and heart) into the legend of Santa Claus? Celebrate St. Nicholas Day (December 6) with your kids and honor the real man who loved God and loved others so well.
Veritas parent and teacher Leslie Bustard says "we like to remember St. Nicolas Day on December 6. We always read a short story that (my husband, Ned) wrote about St. Nicoloas. And since we didn’t know all the real traditions around this church calendar day when we first discovered St. Nicolas, we made up some of our own traditions, including buying winter PJs for the kids and giving bags of chocolate balls (covered in gold wrappings) and clementines to the children of our care group. Sometimes we gave gifts to the local Milagro House."
Other suggestions for celebrating St. Nicholas include making cookies or other treats with your children and then secretly leaving them at your neighbors' homes, with a local shelter, or in classmates' backpacks or desks at school. It's a good way to teach your children to take joy in blessing others without getting any recognition back ("When you give to the needy, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Matthew 6:3).
For more information about St. Nicholas and the ways he is celebrated, click here.
5. Prayer Garland
Using colored paper and glue or tape, make a prayer garland by writing the names of 24 different people, organizations, issues, countries, or communities on the paper strips and making a paper chain. Hang it somewhere visible in your home, and each day, take a chain "link" off and pray as a family for whatever is written on it. It can help take your family's minds off of yourselves (and your kids' Christmas lists) and focus on the needs of others as well as God's goodness and sovereignty.
6. Significant Traditions
In each day leading up to Christmas, look at a different Christmas symbol or tradition and learn together about the history and meaning behind it. A quick Google search can uncover ample information about such things, and it helps everyone understand the significance behind the symbols of the season like Christmas trees, lights, and candy canes. You can find a great list with information to get you started here.
7. Christmas Carols
Speaking of meanings, another aspect of Christmas you can look at as a family during advent are the traditional Christmas carols. Dive into a different Christmas carol each day - sing it together, then talk briefly about the meaning of the lyrics. Young children can often be way off base in their interpretation of what they're hearing in those carols (like my friend's daughter who interpreted "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" as "Gloria in a Chelsea stable"). It will help all of you not only appreciate the songs more, but also the significance of the season.
A final note
If you've gotten this far and now you're stressed about trying to add "something else" to your already crazy holiday schedule (believe me, I'm there), take heart, friend: give yourself grace and don't feel like you need to do this in order to be a good, Godly parent. If Advent doesn't happen in your home this year (or any other year for that matter), your family will be just fine...especially if it means that you are able to more fully relax and enjoy the season without feeling the pressure of perfection. I'll say it again: grace, grace! There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus...even those who don't celebrate Advent with a Pinterest-perfect advent candle devotional and craft over dinner every night. If there were...well, I would be in big trouble!
But, if you were looking for a way to add an Advent tradition to your household, now you have some (hopefully) simple ideas to focus your heart and minds on the Savior of the Nations, born unto us with tidings of peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Even if your kids have a screaming brawl over who gets to light the Advent candle that night. Peace on earth...goodwill to men...and grace abounding!
