Preparing for Advent

Advent is the season on the church calendar where we prepare our hearts for Christmas. But as a mom, I feel a real responsibility to prepare for Advent, so that I can take the lead in reminding my kids the real reason for the season.

Ivar is four now, and traditions are being set. Rory and I are talking really intentionally about how we want our kids to remember their childhood, how we want to create traditions, how we want things to feel and look and smell. One huge decision is that we want our kids to have Christmas morning at our own home, and we want to celebrate Christmas eve at our own church. These are both things we remember from our own childhoods, and want for our kids. But it means not joining our extended family for those times. Thankfully (and I am SO thankful!) all families involved have been gracious and understanding.

What I've learned is that building tradition takes intention. But what I remember about my own childhood is that it is the little things. We always had an advent wreath on our kitchen table during December. And it was lit at each supper. Sometimes we would turn the lights out after everyone was done eating and sing a christmas carol. I'm not sure how many times we actually did this, but it is etched in my mind with the happiest and warmest of memories.

So my goal is to keep it simple. I spent Sunday night looking on pinterest for Advent Ideas, and felt convicted that you could really overdo it and loose the whole point of the season. So I googled for Christ-expectant Advent ideas and found an awesome article that spelled out a simple Advent plan, the one I remember from my childhood. So here's my plan:

1. Make an advent wreath. Maybe just five mason jars filled with sand with three purple, one pink and one white candle. A good explanation can be found here. And keep it on the kitchen table all of December.
2. Light one candle each week leading up to Christmas. I love the anticipation this builds. I remember loving church in December and watching the acolyte light one more candle each week...because it meant Christmas Eve was that much closer! Ah! The anticipation!
3. Eat our supper and then turn out the lights. I know from experience that this always quiets the room.
4. Read the scripture for that day and sing a christmas carol. We'll add one carol a week so by Christmas my kids should know the words to four carols.
5. Pray and thank God for sending his baby boy Jesus for us.
6. Turn the lights back on.

So that's my Advent plan. If you have older kids (elementary or middle school, I still recommend The Family Book of Advent, but it still seems a bit too involved for Ivar and Elsie.) How about you? Do you have any favorite Advent traditions?

(The picture above is my cousin Sarah (the blondie) and me dressed up as angels for the nativity we act out each year with the cousins. My grandpa always read the scripture and even though he died when I was fifteen, I can hear his voice clear as day when I think of him reading, "In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...")