Celebrating Advent

Advent is the four-week celebration leading up to the day we mark the birth of Jesus.  There are many ways to go about this celebration from the toy or candy-filled Advent Calendars which produce a daily treat throughout Advent at the lift of a flap or the opening of a tiny door, to the awesome journey through Christ's life laid out by a Jesse Tree, or the traditional Advent wreath with candles and greenery.

This week you hopefully had an opportunity to pick up the booklet provided for Heartland families called Celebrating Advent.  This booklet outlines a simple, fun, hands-on way to celebrate Advent geared toward families with young children.  We are asked to remember that "this is also a time to focus on the concept of giving rather than receiving." The devotions and activities "will enable your family to grow in your understanding of the aw of Christmas and the impact Christ's birth can have on you...help(ing) moms and dads as primary faith shapers."

There are instructions for decorating an Advent Box which can be as simple as designating a nice-looking box or basket you have as your Advent Box or as hands-on as wrapping a box you have or you get in wrapping paper and adorning it with a bow or other embellishments.

Next you have suggestions for creating an Advent wreath.  Once again, this can be something extremely simple or incredibly elaborate depending on your interest, time, and resources.  Several years ago we picked up an iron Advent wreath from a shop specializing in Scandinavian products and decorations.  It is a circle of black iron with four candle holders and leaves spaced around the circle, lending the appearance of a branch woven into a wreath.  We usually weave in some berries and a bit of greenery (fake stuff we picked up at a craft store years ago), put white taper candles in each of the holders and a red pillar candle in the middle.  It is sturdy enough to last years and years and hopefully one day be passed on to our kids.

That being said, there is no right or wrong way to make an Advent wreath.  Throw some greenery (fake or from your backyard...or not even green at all) on a round plate (cake tin, platter, dinner plate, whatever...), add five candles (again, with wicks you light, battery-operated led lights, or construction paper cylinders with a "flame" cut out of yellow or orange paper taped to the top) and you are good to go.

Need some inspiration?  Know about Pinterest?  Search for Advent wreath on Pinterest or Google and you will find a ton of great ideas for formal, decorative Advent wreaths, Advent wreath crafts you can do with your kids, and even links to Advent wreaths you can purchase.

The Celebrating Advent booklet has song, verse, and activity cards for you to cut out and weekly Advent celebrations you can do with your family.  The great thing about it is that YOU get to decide how much or how little to include in your Advent Box and you don't have to stick to what is offered as suggestions.  Have your own wacky Christmas song that the kids insist be included in any Christmas activity?  Write out a card for it...or sing it every time!  Have too many "helpful" small hands to do some of the activities?  Do something that works for your family!

Once you have your Advent wreath, your Advent Box of verse, song, and activity cards, and the booklet you are ready to go!  Each Sunday, beginning December 2nd, pull the booklet out and follow the instructions for the appropriate week's celebration.  Select verse, song, and activity cards as often as works for you and don't forget to HAVE FUN!