The Advent season is upon us. Here are some basics.
In my family, the concept of Advent is slightly different from that of Christmas.
It can be so easy to forget about the real reason for the season: the long-awaited Messiah’s arrival on planet earth.
Having a plan for Advent can alter the family’s point of view from the busyness of December and its many wonderful traditions, to focus on Jesus’ birth.
I suffer from this problem every year.
But this year I’m ahead of myself. I actually found the Advent wreath before Advent started.
In the meantime, while I hunt for the candles, here’s a review of what it can mean to celebrate Advent–as well as Christmas.
What does the Advent season mean?
The Advent season in the liturgical church year (vestments are blue), is the four Sundays prior to Christmas day marking the anticipation of Jesus’ birth.
The word “Advent” is a shortened form of adventus Domini, meaning “the coming of the Lord.”
The Advent season anticipates three events:
- The celebration of Christ’s birth this year.
- His resurrection celebration in Easter next year.
- His promise to return–anytime.
How to celebrate the Advent Season at home with the candles?
Many people prepare an Advent wreath with evergreens and four candles that they light on the four Sundays of Advent, lighting all four candles to celebrate Christmas.
I usually forget to light the first candle.
If you forget to light the first candle on the first Sunday in Advent (which is December 1 in 2019), light it with the second candle on the second Sunday of Advent (December 8).
Jesus’ life and death are about grace.
There’s no reason to feel guilty at Christmastime.
Check out these posts to learn what you can expect for each candle of the Advent season:
Other ways to remember the Advent season
One friend suggested helping to keep Jesus in mind by reading a chapter from the Gospel of Luke every day during December.
Since the book has 24 chapters, you end on Christmas eve and “wake up Christmas morning knowing who and why you celebrate.”
You could also celebrate Advent by singing a Christmas carol in place of saying grace before dinner.
Read, sing, review a book like The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Suprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs by Andrew Gant.
Maybe your family can read a book based on the nativity? (A list of suggested Christmas children’s books is coming here on December 10).
Or, you could tell a story about a personal Christmas past.
You might read Christmas cards aloud, or pray for the people who send them to you.
If you participate in a program to provide gifts for others, why not pray about your gift? Or for the people who will receive it?
If you have children, you might appreciate Karen Whiting’s book: Christmas is Coming! But Waiting is Hard!
My church handed out an entire Advent season calendar with something simple to do every day.
Another look at the Advent Stories
I’ve written a number of blog posts about the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ coming nativity.
These collected blog posts start with “Mary’s Challenging Year,” and follow the family all the way to Jesus’ Childhood.
You can read the stories starting here.
Enjoy Advent, Christmas and the newborn King this December!
Tweetables
A variety of ways to celebrate Advent this year! Click to Tweet
Do we need candles to celebrate Advent? Click to Tweet
Advent basics to celebrate the reason for the season. Click to Tweet
Enjoy your Advent season this year!
Thoughts? Reactions? Lurker?