Saturday, December 5, 2009

The Season of Advent

Tommy and I started a tradition with Chase about 7 years ago of doing Advent! I wish we would have started so much earlier and done it with the boys as well...We have always done like an advent calendar starting the first day of December, but this is alot more in depth and really brings Christ back into Christmas!
The season of Advent is about anticipation and hope! Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, and ends on Christmas eve! The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. The colors of the candles vary with traditions, but are there are usually three purple or blue candles, one pink candle, and the center candle, the Christ candle, is always white! Scripture readings precede the lighting of the candles. A new candle is lighted each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lighted during the week.


We have loved this tradition of celebrating Advent, it brings us close together as a family and instills in Chase and reminds Tommy and I the true reason we celebrate Christmas! Tomorrow begins the second Sunday of Advent, so we will light two candles every day this coming week, but as we light the candles and read the scripture every day as a family and pray together just spending that time together as a family thanking God as we celebrate His birth, His First Advent, and thanking Him for the hope we have in His return for His Second Advent! It has just become a very special time together that we all enjoy!


What traditions does your family do to celebrate the birth of Christ??

3 comments:

Tara said...

I love Advent too! Right now, with our kids only being 2, we play alot with our Little People Nativity, count down the days to Jesus' birthday on our felt advent calendar, give gifts to others who need to know that Jesus loves them, and will make him a birthday cake on Christmas. Keeping this holiday season focused on Him is one of the most important priorities!

Nic said...

What a fabulous tradition, Heidi. :)

We read from Luke 2. It has always been a favorite Christmas passage of mine since I was very young.

Another tradition we have is a scavenger hunt. There is usually a present or two that is not under the tree. The kids (well, not 'kids' anymore) receive clues and have to hunt for their special gift. It's always fun.

I've added a new blog where I'll be posting poems if you are interested. ;) http://nicnacspoetryshack.blogspot.com/

Larissa said...

We just started celebrating advent this year. You read on my blog about the tradition that we are beginning. It really helps to focus the season that has become anything BUT a celebration of Christ. I have been looking for something to do in the month of December because up until this year, we've really not done anything at all except for avoid all the secular traditions. Now, with the tradition of advent, I finally can look forward to celebrating the coming of Christ and teaching the children through the reading of the scripture passages each day!
We are really enjoying this family time together and the crafts that we are doing for our advent banner.