Many Christians experience a conflict of interest during Advent - the desire to begin decorating for the holidays versus observing the season of waiting, Advent. Stores display Christmas items right before Halloween, cranking up the onslaught all through November. Families who want to wait for Christmas until Christmas find it hard to resist when they are surrounded by constant holiday music, television programming, commercials, and decorations.
Advent, the beginning of the liturgical Church year, is a season that can make Christmas worth the wait. However, the two do not have to be in constant conflict. There are lovely traditions that marry the desire to enter in to decorating and the excitement of the holidays with taking time to enjoy the wait and observe Advent.
- Bring Out the Tree - Observing Advent does not mean the Christmas tree must stay in the box (or on the lot) until Christmas Eve. On the first Sunday of Advent, bring the tree out and set it up in its place. As a family, create Advent-appropriate decorations and paper-chains only out of purple construction paper. Purple is the color of Advent, representing prayer, waiting, and repentance. The tree will look stunning all in purple, plus it will remain a constant reminder of the muted joy of Advent.
- The Jesse Tree - The Jesse Tree is a custom with its roots in the Medieval tradition of using art to portray stories of faith. The Jesse Tree uses various symbols, usually based on Scripture verses, to show either the genealogy of Jesus (based on the line of Jesse, father of King David) or the plan of salvation from the beginning of the world. Create a new set of Jesse Tree ornaments as a family every year. Use them on a small tree or even on the big Christmas tree in the weeks before adorning it with Christmas decorations. The story associated with each ornament helps to keep the mind on waiting for the Messiah.
- The Advent Wreath - Advent wreaths allow people to pull in festive holiday greenery to the table while taking time to observe the process of waiting associated with Advent. As busy as families are, make an extra effort to sit down for dinners during Advent. Light the appropriate candles for the week and sing a verse of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" each night. It makes a great way to move through the season as a family, and it is always fun to see if the first candle lasts all season!
- Make a Paper Chain - Count down the days to Christmas by making a paper chain. Cut strips of colored construction paper. Place these and a box of markers out on the table. On each strip write down the date, starting with the first Sunday of Advent and go all the way until Christmas Day. This can be done ahead of time, particularly if working with young children. Family members can divide the strips up, adding on each strip how many days until Christmas and a fun picture. Staple the strips into a paper chain and display somewhere the family frequents. Remove one link each morning. Don't forget these special events: use purple and label the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays of Advent; use pink for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and label it "Gaudete Sunday" (Gaudete means rejoice); make the link for December 8 out of blue paper and draw a picture of Mary for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!
- Thoughtful Christmas Tree Decorating - Try to hold off decorating the tree with Christmas decorations as long as possible. It heightens the sense of waiting and anticipation that should build throughout Advent. (Doing #1 on this list will help!) As a family, decide when the big day to decorate will be. The third Sunday of Advent, with its theme of rejoicing is a good choice for those who opt to decorate earlier. Waiting until the fourth Sunday of Advent gives that final week a extra-special meaning. Some families even choose to wait until Christmas Eve! No matter when the decorating happens, give it meaning, and it will be special for the whole family.
A thoughtful observance of Advent does not mean abstaining from all holiday joy. These ideas can help every family celebrate Advent while enjoying all the best of holiday preparation the season has to offer.
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 ...
