How We Celebrate Advent

It’s a busy season. I like to slow down and worship amidst all the rushing and buying and visiting.

Advent is the beginning of the liturgical new year. It’s a time of light, cleaning our homes and hearts, preparing the way for love.

Advent activities and devotionals make Christmastime special.

I love Advent. I didn’t grow up with these traditions, but we’re doing them as a family to make Christmas time more special than presents, cookies, and ornaments.

I love Bible studies that focus on Christ and His Coming. I love teaching my children about Advent. There are so many to choose from that I have to scale down. I can’t do them all and I don’t want to overwhelm my kids with too much. We can do new ones each year to grow in our faith.

We look forward to reading devotionals, worshiping, and singing praises to Jesus every morning and evening during the Advent season.

Our family loves this simple Advent Wreath and we light it every Sunday during Advent.

Jesse Tree Devotionals:

The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert Smith

The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean

Jesse Tree Printables

Truth in the Tinsel is great for small kids! Crafts are a great way to teach little ones about Jesus during Advent. We still have several of the prettier ornaments on our tree. And there are also printable ornaments that are frugal and great for groups.

Advent of Kindness

We especially love our Advent house calendar with little strips of paper printed with offers of kindness.

The kids take turns reading them each morning and it really helps us all develop an attitude of servant leadership.

Printables:

Real Life at Home calendar options
Advent blessings from Raising Arrows
Also another list for a Giving House from 100 Days of Real Food
A Little Pinch of Perfect 13 calendars

More Advent printables for little ones:

Fun Christmas printables for littles from 1+1+1=1
Lots of holiday worksheets from Education.com
Little Drummer Boy printables from Wildflower Ramblings
Advent ornaments from Confessions of a Homeschooler

Advent Books from Bloggers:

The Stories Behind the Music by Luke Gilkerson has 15 devotionals teaching the stories behind Christmas carols! So fun!

The Passion of Mary Advent Story by Andrew Bowen is a unique story.

Jesus, Light of the World: Praying the Scriptures through Advent by Candace Crabtree is simple and lovely

Birth of Jesus Grapevine Bible Study is fun for the whole family, with traceables for the little ones, stick figure drawings, and readings for the whole month of December and beyond.

We like to read aloud one of these books each year: Ytreeide Advent Stories

Traditions

Advent traditions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The history of the American Christmas tree.
Celebrate St. Barbara on 4 December
Celebrate St. Nicholas on 6 December

We do still love the fun little chocolate calendars.

Move over candy! My kids love these fun Lego Advent Calendars!

Though you may be wrapping gifts, planning special meals, and spending time with family and friends, I hope you will also take time to allow the Advent darkness to do its work as well.
Richard Rohr