Advent, which heralds the coming of Christ, is one of the most exciting times of the year for Christians. The official season of Advent starts the Sunday nearest to St. Andrews’ Day, which occurs on November 30th each year. Engaging in Advent-related activities with your family reinforces the true meaning of the season, and provides a respite from the consumer-oriented frenzy that seems to dominate many cultures. You can tailor your Advent celebration activities so that all family members can participate in this time of anticipation, hope, and joy.
Advent Calendars
Many commercial Advent calendars consist of a cardboard, wood, or cloth layer with windows corresponding to the first 24 days in December. Some disposable calendars contain candy behind the windows, while families can customize cloth or wooden keepsake calendars with their own figurines or trinkets.
Since the actual first Sunday of Advent varies from year to year, families may wish to construct their own Advent calendars each year to reflect the changing dates of Advent. Families can even create a digital Advent calendar, which may appeal to teens or family members away at college.
Advent Wreath
An Advent wreath consists of four candles in an evergreen wreath to represent the four weeks of Advent. The candles may be white, purple, or a combination of three purple candles and one pink candle to represent the liturgical colors of the church. The wreath can also feature fruits symbolizing the nourishing Christian faith, and seedpods or cones to symbolize Jesus’ resurrection.
You can gather materials to make a homemade wreath with your family. Each evening at mealtime, light the candles and recite a prayer with your family. Older children can light the candles, and younger children can help extinguish them after the meal. Light only one candle the first week, and add a candle each week of Advent. If you’re using the liturgical colors, save the rose candle for week four.
Advent Books
If your family has an extensive library of Christmas books, you can start a new tradition to celebrate the Advent season. Individually wrap each book in wrapping paper, and ask a family member to unwrap one book each day of Advent. Gather as a family and read the book at a designated time each day. Include books for all reading levels, and ask children of reading age to participate in the readings. If your library doesn’t contain enough books for each day of Advent, check out supplemental books from the library and wrap them too.
Advent Prayers and Carols
Set aside a time of prayer each day during Advent. You could select passages from the bible that chronicle the events of Advent. For example, choose the corresponding readings that describe Isaiah’s prophecies, Malachi’s prophecy, Zechariah’s prophecy, the announcement of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds and angels, and Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
Children love to express their Christmas joy through song, so include some Christmas carols or hymns in your celebrations. Teach your family O Come, O Come Emmanuel; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Silent Night; Away in the Manger; While Shepherds Watched their Flocks; and The First Noel.
Related Article: Advent Activities for CCD Class
Celebrate Advent
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