Post by contributor, Marissa of Becoming Kindred. Photo Credit: Dan Froese Photography

Several years ago as we were beginning our little family, how we would celebrate Christmas was part of many discussions. We wanted to establish traditions that celebrated the coming of the Messiah and the gift of his birth. At the same time, we longed for something deeper and more meaningful than the stress, overspending, and self-focus that so easily comes with the Christmas season.

Our desire to establish our celebration of Christmas as a response of worship led us to the practice of Advent.

At that point, my only familiarity with Advent was that of advent readings and candle lighting each Sunday morning during the month of December.

We chose to bring Advent home to incorporate the season of hopeful anticipation in the weeks prior to Christmas, or ‘Christ Come’.

Seven years ago, we had no idea just how meaningful and central to Christmas the weeks of Advent would become to us, not only as a marker of the birth of Christ but also a hope filled celebration of our, indeed creation’s, reconciliation to Christ on his return .

I have always loved Christmas with its bright traditions, gift giving, and time spent with family, but I’ve found that the practice of Advent is something I greatly anticipate as a time to focus and open my heart to the mystery and love of Immanuel, God with Us.

As we’ve tweaked and changed and enjoyed developing how we do Advent, I’ve realized that it’s very possible for it to be very simple while still being incredibly meaningful for both adult and child alike. I’ve realized that it is possible for the deeply spiritual practice of worship and contemplation to be a source of childish delight. While there is an aspect of the Advent season that includes that awareness that “whole creation has been groaning” as we wait for the glory that is to come, I think that is also a vital part for our children to see in a life of following Christ.

Intrigued but not sure how to start doing Advent with your family? Some simple suggestions:

1. Advent Wreath with 4-5 candles

Usually at a meal, we light candles for each week and somehow this act seems to give the reminder that each day is holy. Week one is the candle of Hope, week two is the candle of Peace so we light two candles and so on through Joy, Love and the Christ candle on Christmas. We have a very simple saying for each candle that we light that we all say together.

2. Readings

We have done it differently through different Advent seasons but always with the purpose of sharing the story of Jesus with our daughters while contemplating it ourselves. Sometimes, we follow the readings from the Common Lectionary while at other times we have read through the promise of Jesus starting with the Angel’s appearance to Mary to his birth, the shepherds, the wise men, and their flight to Egypt then to Nazareth. I have this version of our readings set out in my blog if you would like to use them, starting with Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ Come. 

3. Songs of Advent

We love to sing and so we always include an Advent hymn with our reading and lighting. Often we sing O Come, Emmanuel because it so accurately depicts this season of waiting and longing, always with hope that rises in the chorus of Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel. Another one that I love is Come thou Long Expected Jesus. Really though, any Advent hymn that is anticipatory in nature rather than celebratory is appropriate. Then, on Christmas we sing the celebratory songs such as Joy to the World!

4. Responsive Action

Part of our response to our hope in Christ is that we want to share love and hope with others. We don’t feel that Advent is simply drawing inward in contemplation – it is also reaching out. Of course this is something that we try to do all year, but throughout the Advent season, we try to find practical ways that we can share the message of that week’s candle.

We try to act in our own community as well as other places in the world. For example, we’ve shopped together for the food bank, made a meal for someone in need, cleared a driveway, or visited the Seniors home. Or we have bought an animal for a family in another country, or saved our pennies for the Freedom Network. Because we aren’t in a position to spend a lot, we generally try to choose ways of serving and caring for others that are within our means. And, we pray for others: for families who are lonely, for children who don’t know freedom, for people who are being wronged.

5. Making Advent Child-Friendly

We began our practice of Advent before we had children and as such we’ve had to do some changing of how we do it; such as shortening our readings, or giving explanations in child-friendly language etc.

I think because our Advent traditions are so familiar to the girls, they love and appreciate our structure and their attention is held because they are involved.

They take turns lighting the candles.
We all repeat our candle saying together or take turns.
We all sing together.
When done at a mealtime, there is already the routine in place of sitting together at the table.
Ask and answer questions.

There are also Advent books complete with activities that are geared specifically for children.

{Beth’s note: I HIGHLY recommend Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. Last year my kids were 2 and 4 and they LOVED it. They absolutely loved it. This year, I think it will be even better as they are getting to that perfect age of starting to really understand spiritual things.

If you want to try it out – grab it now! Advent starts this Sunday!! The ebook is just $7.99, but if you think you may not have the time to do the whole thing you can always purchase just the printable ornaments for your littles to colour and decorate, for just $3.99. I really, truly believe in this resource… that’s why I’m sharing it with you.}

However you choose to do it, all throughout the season, you can bring the story of Jesus into family activities.

More suggestions:

…Read stories of Christmas at bedtime.

…Play Advent or Christmas music filled with the messages of Jesus.

…Have a nativity scene that they can play with and retell the story through out the season. Our girls spend hours playing with our nativity set as they retell and act out the story over and over.

I think that no matter what you do to walk through the Advent season, what is most important is the posture of your heart.

You may come up with a gorgeous Advent calendar, meaningful activities, and beautiful readings but if you are caught up in having it perfect or if it becomes just another harried activity on your December checklist, you will have missed the point. I remind myself – as I gently encourage you – to step into heartfelt worship of Christ through the practice of Advent.

Allow it to be messy, whatever that looks like within your family. Allow it to fall flat some days. Allow it to change you, to change your perspective and approach to the Christmas season. Allow it to draw your focus away from stuff and spending and stress into a messy, humble place where a baby, a Saviour was born.

If you would like to read more of my posts on following the Liturgical Calendar, including Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Passover, and Easter, I have many on my blog, Becoming Kindred, under the Discovering Spirit category.

What does Advent look like in your home?

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