This coming Sunday welcomes the season of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the church or liturgical calendar. It is a time of waiting, yearning, of anticipation. It is a time where we intentionally put ourselves into a position of wondering, “what if Jesus hadn’t come yet?” or waiting for Christ to come again. “But the word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin adventus, which is about a ‘coming’ or an ‘arrival.’” –Bible Project. We are waiting on Christmas. Waiting for God incarnate to bring transformation & peace. Each week has a “theme” or focus for each advent candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
It is an important part of the story of God to participate in the practices of Advent. It helps us refocus our minds and hearts onto what truly matters. Our world often feels dark both physically dark this time of year but also spiritually. We see so much brokenness in our world that sometimes we can lose hope of there ever being restoration. We can lose the hope of God’s SHALOM. We can forget the very important reason for the upcoming Christmas season, God is with us. Advent brings light into our dark world. It’s a reminder that God is still here and is coming. It can be a season that helps us grow spiritually in what is usually a chaotic time of year, to slow down and rest in our Savior. To rest in God’s hope, peace, joy, and love. It’s also an amazing way to grow as a family & spend intentional time together.
Some practices that you can do to observe Advent this season are:
- Have an Advent wreath. Each week light the candle and read a devotional, or scripture reading. You can find so many advent wreath options online or can create your own! We use battery powered tea lights right now so I don’t have to worry about toddlers (or cats) starting a fire and so my daughter can be more actively involved in the process without worrying about safety or messes.
- Do individual or family prayer/devotionals. Read books focused on Advent & Christmas (my next post will be book recommendations for Advent and Christmastide!)
- Do a Jesse Tree. I have never done this personally, but I think I will do it next year once my daughter is a little older. It looks like such an awesome interactive advent activity that goes through Isaiah & its connection to Christ.
- If you have small children, do crafts or coloring pages that center our attention around the coming of Christ. You can find some HERE!
Advent does NOT need to be complicated, busy, or over the top. In fact, I think it should be the opposite. Brian Zahnd writes, “And that’s what Advent is for—learning to wait for God. In our high-tech, high-speed, high-stress age, we’re not very good at waiting—it feels too much like doing nothing. But it’s not doing nothing. As we wait, we slowly become contemplative enough to discern what God is doing. Unless we intentionally cultivate some contemplative slowness in our soul, it doesn’t matter if God acts, because we will most likely miss it.”
Our world rushes this season with so much going on, don’t let that set the tone for your heart this advent season. Don’t let us miss the amazing work of God this season.
I’m excited to begin this journey of Advent with you! What are you and your family doing to observe Advent this year? I’d love to hear what others are doing and learn of new traditions and practices!
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing,
-Maddie