The season of Advent is a wonderful time of year in the life of the church. It is a season of waiting, a season of hope, a season of great joy and anticipation.
In the church, Christmas only begins on Christmas Day, followed by over two weeks of celebration. Therefore, Advent is its own unique season, seperate from the Christmas festivities, although often intertwined.
The holiday season is the perfect time to establish some Advent traditions in the home. Celebrating Advent as a family helps to enforce the message of the season as well as provide a joyful building of anticipation for Christmas.
Advent Traditions – How to Celebrate Advent
The Advent wreath is one of the most common Advent traditions. It also presents an opportunity for family celebration. Before dinner each night, read an appropriate Bible passage. Sing one verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Then light that week's candle or candles. Take turns blowing out the candles each night.
Another common way to celebrate the season is with an Advent calendar. These can be purchased many places, or even made at home. Each day, a different family member can open the “window” or “door” of the appropriate day.
In Scripture the coming of the Messiah was often linked to the corporal works of mercy The Messiah would heal the sick, lift up the poor and needy, and comfort the broken-hearted. Volunteer work or service as a family is a perfect way to acknowledge this aspect of the season. Help at a food pantry, sponsor Christmas for a needy family, buy a gift for a child in need, or donate food.
Christmas often brings many new presents into the home. Take this time of preparation to have children go through toys, shoes, and clothes, choosing what is no longer used or needed (but still usuable) to donate to a local charity. These are but a tip on the iceburg of all the ways to celebrate Advent as a family through volunteeringin the community.
During Advent, the church urges people to prepare for the coming of baby Jesus. Not only hearts can be prepared, but so can homes. Before decorating, get the whole family involved in a thorough housecleaning. Assign each family member a different room of the house. Young children can be “helpers” to older family members.
Decorating the home can be a very meaningful part of Advent. Some families go all out right away, while others prefer to hold off on fully decorating until closer to Christmas Day. For example, some families may put up their Christmas tree early in December, but wait until a few days before Christmas to decorate it. This delayed method can provide a delightful anticipation in what can be the overwhelming build-up to Christmas Day.
There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate Advent as a family. A multitude of Advent traditions gives each family the chance to find what fits best and what expresses most clearly for them the meaning of this beautiful season of joyful waiting.
Christine Alcott - Christine is an active homeschooling mother of 4 boys in Texas. She holds a BS in Mental Health and Human Services and a MTS in Theology ...
