Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer
“During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God.”
Howard W. Hunter
“Christmas celebrates the awesome and amazing fact that God is grander, wiser and more mysterious than we could have ever imagined.”
Dan Schaeffer
“To prepare our hearts for Christmas, we must cultivate the spirit of expectancy.”
Handel H. Brown
Over the last 30 years or more I’ve collected quite a few books to help me create engaging Advent celebrations for my church and my family. We’ve tried lots of things to make Advent both traditional and innovative. Our small church has developed a solid tradition of lighting the Advent candles, an honor passed around to younger members of the congregation, with readings, carols, and prayers to illustrate the meaning of the candles as they are lit. One recent addition has been “passing the treat bowl” (heavy emphasis on chocolates) to remind us, in receiving this tiny gift, that Christmas is about the greatest gift of all: Jesus.
Depending on your situation, you may celebrate Advent in some form by yourself, in your immediate family, with your church. You may focus on the four Sundays of Advent or you may use a month-long daily devotional. You may be ready to begin this devotional exercise for the first time. Or, since the first Sunday of Advent has come and gone, you may think it’s too late this year so maybe you will try next year instead. If you fall in the “too late” category, I have a suggestion or two for you to incorporate some Advent anticipation in your Christmas this year.
I have always used five candles in my Advent celebration: The colored candles representing Hope (purple), Peace (purple), Joy (pink), and Love (purple) and the white Christ candle at the center of the display lit on Christmas Eve. I’ve even used different colors for the four candles, but I decided I like the connection with so many others celebrating with the same colors of purple and pink (or rose). I also select different quotes, carols, and prayers to be read aloud so all who wish can have a part. This year’s theme is thanksgiving in the sense that a grateful and happy, blessed, praising heart is focused on preparing to welcome Jesus gladly at Christmas.
You can find the devotions I have in mind by going to this link. (If clicking on the link doesn’t work, copy and paste this into your browser: https://venturesforchrist.com/advent/advent-devotional)
Additional Resources:
Some sources for ideas:
Simple Modest Mom
Family Celebrations
Or use this LINK is to search for family resources for celebrating Advent
Books and other things to buy
Mission of Motherhood Advent Resources
The Little by Little Home Advent Resources
NC Baptist Advent Resources
Risen Motherhood Advent Resources
Calvin Institute Advent Worship Resources
I usually buy my Advent colored candles in a set from Hobby Lobby, but their website shows they are out of stock. Amazon had them in stock when I last checked.
Amazon Search for Advent books
Quotes in this article were used from:
A Year of Gratitude, published by Publications International, Ltd., 2023, through Amazon.
Bible, The King James Version
Country Living webpage
Pioneer Woman webpage
Woman’s Day webpage
