"It's the Most Wonderful time of the Year"
says the Christmas song. Christmas is upon us and it is up to each of us as to what the season will mean to us. For some it's frantic shopping and endless parties/events/programs to seem to take up every day from late November thru Christmas Day. For others it truly is a magical time of the year. Not magical in the sense of "magic" but magical in the sense that every day becomes full of an "Advent-ture". It is Advent - the time when we celebrate and prepare our hearts for the Lord who has come, and will come again.
What is Advent?
Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season and the Church year for most Western churches. The word "Advent" means "arrival" or "coming" in Latin and represents the approach of Christ's birth (and fulfillment of the prophecies about that event) and also the awaiting of Christ's second coming. It is composed of the four Sundays before Christmas day, starting this year on the Sunday November 27th, and ending on Christmas.
Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season and the Church year for most Western churches. The word "Advent" means "arrival" or "coming" in Latin and represents the approach of Christ's birth (and fulfillment of the prophecies about that event) and also the awaiting of Christ's second coming. It is composed of the four Sundays before Christmas day, starting this year on the Sunday November 27th, and ending on Christmas.
Celebrating the Season
For Christians, Advent is a time of reflection about the amazing gift that God gave to us in the person of His Son who came to live among us on earth. It is also an opportunity to restore Jesus to His rightful place as the center of our holiday celebrations!
For Christians, Advent is a time of reflection about the amazing gift that God gave to us in the person of His Son who came to live among us on earth. It is also an opportunity to restore Jesus to His rightful place as the center of our holiday celebrations!
The prevailing themes of the Advent season and the symbolism
behind the activities which churches and families share are expectation and
hope, preparation and peace, joy and sharing, and most of all, love. These
themes are represented in the 5 candles of the Advent wreath. On each Sunday marking
a new week in Advent, a candle is lit on the wreath (including candles from
previous weeks) until we arrive at the snow-white center candle which stands
for Christ! All Advent activities and traditions are grounded in the truth of
Scripture...even though the symbolism and stories surrounding them have changed
over time. The focus continues to be the great news that the Messiah was and is
coming .
The practice of lighting Advent candles began in Germany by
non-Christians. They lit candles surrounded by evergreen branches in their
windows on cold winter nights to signify their hope for the coming warmth and
light of spring! Later, German Lutherans kept the practice alive and gradually
the symbolism of the Advent wreath was added: evergreens represent everlasting
life (because they do not die during winter) and Christian growth; the wreath
is a symbol of God's unending love and of victory; candles represent Christ,
the light of the world, and their purple or blue color signify the royalty of
Jesus our King! Another tradition saying is that the four candles signify the
4000 years of waiting from Adam and Eve until, at long last, Jesus' birth.
Here’s a whole bunch of suggestions for Advent Calendars,
Advent Wreaths, and how to incorporate any or all of these things into your
family’s Advent celebration.
The Advent
Calendar
An Advent Calendar can be as simple or as ornate as you'd
like. Here are some ideas:
1. You can use an actual calendar like the large desk calendars with space to write in. Every night, write in a new verse reference for you and your family to look up and read together the next day. Afterwards, put a Christmas sticker on the square to count down the days.
2. Cut out a Christmas tree shape from cardboard or posterboard. Each day, add a new ornament (either cut them out yourself or buy some die-cut shapes from a craft store) with a verse.
3. An alternative to a calendar is to make an Advent paper chain. Add a new link to the chain ever day with either the Bible verse you read together, the people you prayed for that day or a list of what you were thankful for that day. Or, you can create the chain in advance and remove the links with verses (or names of people to pray for) listed on them.
4. Have an old or extra corkboard that you're not using? Transform it into an Advent calendar and post new messages and/or verses every day. You can wrap the board with wrapping paper to make it look like a present and add bow, ornament or candy shapes every day. You can hang pieces of candy each day with push pins as well.
5. A fairly easy traditional Advent calendar can be made with 2 pieces of cardboard or posterboard. Draw your design on one piece of cardboard. You can make little houses and churches along a winding road or a Christmas tree with ornaments or just one house with many little windows or doors. Use an exacto knife to cut the doors/windows open, leaving one side as a hinge. Then, lay the 2nd piece of cardboard underneath and line it up. Open the windows/doors and trace the shapes onto the cardboard below. Write your verses or other messages in the traced shapes and then carefully glue the cardboard under the cover piece of cardboard. Close the doors with little bits of tape to keep peeking eyes from looking ahead! (Fun foam or felt can be used, too.)
6. Make an Advent tree. Use a small (3-foot or so) artificial tree and each day hang a new ornament. These can be tiny gift boxes , mini stockings or mini mittens holding verses and/or candy.
7. Nativity figures. Instead of a calendar, you can allow your children to set out 1 nativity figure/animal each day until Christmas.
8. Use old Christmas cards to create a tree shape on your wall or door. Glue verses or other messages written on colored paper inside, perhaps with a note to pray for the person who sent you the card.
9. Sew a calendar with felt or any other fabric. Make small pockets for each day of Advent where you can put verses or candy.
10. Use matchboxes, small jewelry gift boxes, toilet paper tubes cut in half or small paper cups glued to a piece of cardboard to create a calendar with places to store your verses, candies or other items to be opened each day!
11. If you can find an item with the right number of pockets or drawers, you can simply decorate it and label for use as a calendar! Some options are shoe organizers, mini drawer units (for a desk or to hold small craft items), or a screw/nail/tool organizer with little drawers. Dress it up with wrapping paper and ribbon.
1. You can use an actual calendar like the large desk calendars with space to write in. Every night, write in a new verse reference for you and your family to look up and read together the next day. Afterwards, put a Christmas sticker on the square to count down the days.
2. Cut out a Christmas tree shape from cardboard or posterboard. Each day, add a new ornament (either cut them out yourself or buy some die-cut shapes from a craft store) with a verse.
3. An alternative to a calendar is to make an Advent paper chain. Add a new link to the chain ever day with either the Bible verse you read together, the people you prayed for that day or a list of what you were thankful for that day. Or, you can create the chain in advance and remove the links with verses (or names of people to pray for) listed on them.
4. Have an old or extra corkboard that you're not using? Transform it into an Advent calendar and post new messages and/or verses every day. You can wrap the board with wrapping paper to make it look like a present and add bow, ornament or candy shapes every day. You can hang pieces of candy each day with push pins as well.
5. A fairly easy traditional Advent calendar can be made with 2 pieces of cardboard or posterboard. Draw your design on one piece of cardboard. You can make little houses and churches along a winding road or a Christmas tree with ornaments or just one house with many little windows or doors. Use an exacto knife to cut the doors/windows open, leaving one side as a hinge. Then, lay the 2nd piece of cardboard underneath and line it up. Open the windows/doors and trace the shapes onto the cardboard below. Write your verses or other messages in the traced shapes and then carefully glue the cardboard under the cover piece of cardboard. Close the doors with little bits of tape to keep peeking eyes from looking ahead! (Fun foam or felt can be used, too.)
6. Make an Advent tree. Use a small (3-foot or so) artificial tree and each day hang a new ornament. These can be tiny gift boxes , mini stockings or mini mittens holding verses and/or candy.
7. Nativity figures. Instead of a calendar, you can allow your children to set out 1 nativity figure/animal each day until Christmas.
8. Use old Christmas cards to create a tree shape on your wall or door. Glue verses or other messages written on colored paper inside, perhaps with a note to pray for the person who sent you the card.
9. Sew a calendar with felt or any other fabric. Make small pockets for each day of Advent where you can put verses or candy.
10. Use matchboxes, small jewelry gift boxes, toilet paper tubes cut in half or small paper cups glued to a piece of cardboard to create a calendar with places to store your verses, candies or other items to be opened each day!
11. If you can find an item with the right number of pockets or drawers, you can simply decorate it and label for use as a calendar! Some options are shoe organizers, mini drawer units (for a desk or to hold small craft items), or a screw/nail/tool organizer with little drawers. Dress it up with wrapping paper and ribbon.
Twenty-five Items
that Symbolize Aspects of Advent:
1. Quarter--A quarter! That equals 25 cents. But
25 also stands for the number of days till Christmas, when God gave us His best
present. Jesus told about one woman's gift and the way she gave it. Read: Mark
12:41-44
2. Grape Gum or Candy--Grapes make jelly and juice, raisins and wine. But Jesus didn't need grapes to perform His first miracle. Read: John 2:1-10
3. Smiley Face--Here's a smile! A smile usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep us happy. Read: Matthew 5:1-12.
4. Swedish Fish candy--Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait till you read the story today! Others were surprised to find fish, too. Read: Luke 5:4-7.
5. Birthday Candle--As you know, we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle. Light! Read: Matthew 5:14-16.
6. Small Bell--You could make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man--until he met Jesus. Read: Mark 7:31-37.
7. Goldfish Crackers--These would not go very far if you were really hungry! But Jesus could make much out of little. Surely He knew how to multiply! Read: Matthew 14:13-21.
8. Cotton Balls--These cotton balls would be helpful in a thunder storm, wouldn't they? We could use them for ear plugs to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes. But we know someone who doesn't need cotton. Jesus can control the weather. Read: Matthew 8:23-27.
2. Grape Gum or Candy--Grapes make jelly and juice, raisins and wine. But Jesus didn't need grapes to perform His first miracle. Read: John 2:1-10
3. Smiley Face--Here's a smile! A smile usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep us happy. Read: Matthew 5:1-12.
4. Swedish Fish candy--Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait till you read the story today! Others were surprised to find fish, too. Read: Luke 5:4-7.
5. Birthday Candle--As you know, we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle. Light! Read: Matthew 5:14-16.
6. Small Bell--You could make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man--until he met Jesus. Read: Mark 7:31-37.
7. Goldfish Crackers--These would not go very far if you were really hungry! But Jesus could make much out of little. Surely He knew how to multiply! Read: Matthew 14:13-21.
8. Cotton Balls--These cotton balls would be helpful in a thunder storm, wouldn't they? We could use them for ear plugs to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes. But we know someone who doesn't need cotton. Jesus can control the weather. Read: Matthew 8:23-27.
9. Piece of Map--People needing to use the other
parts of this map are in trouble! Don't you get lost today! Read: John 14:1-6.
10. Soap--Do you like to wash? Behind your ears? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus. Read: John 9:1-7.
11. Heart Candy or Sticker--Hearts. Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they? Jesus spoke some commands about love. Read: Matthew 25:17-41.
12. Small Cross--We use the cross as a symbol, representing Jesus. Do you know why? Read: Phillipians 2:1-11.
13. Packet of Salt--Ordinary salt. Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice. Read: Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6. (Notice that He doesn't recommend pepper!).
14. Sand--Don't try to eat this! It's sand. It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings--and building lives. See His instructions: Matthew 7:24-29.
15. Silk Flowers--Flowers are pretty, aren't they? Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson. Read: Matthew 6:28-34.
16. Raisins--Raisins! Many children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack. That's because they are a health-promoting and delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit. Read: John 15:1-5.
17. Seeds--Jesus told a story about seeds that man planted. Then He explained it, revealing its deep meaning. Read: Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23.
18. Christmas Carol--Christmas is just about a week away. And here is an appropriate song. Sing it loudly! Read: Psalms 100.
19. Rock--A hard stone! Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to do just that. Do know how He handled it? Read: Matthew 4:1-4.
20. Crumpled Foil--Try to smooth out this piece of aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It's hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:12.
21. Mustard Seed (or packet of mustard)--The mustard seed is the smallest there is! When it sprouts, it grows into one of the largest plants! See what Jesus said. Read: Matthew 17:20.
22. Dove--We've learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for? Read: Matthew 3:13-17.
23. Scrap of Wool Material--The threads that compose this fabric came from the wool of a sheep. Jesus called Himself the good shepherd. Do you know who His sheep are? Read: John 10:7-18.
24. Marble--A marble! Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"? The world. God made the world for us. What does God continue doing to the world? And who is the world? Read: John 3:16.
25. Picture of Baby--Isn't this baby cute? When he was born, he made a whole family happy. Jesus was born a baby, too. He came to make the whole world happy. Read: Luke 2:1-20. Enjoy your celebration today. Continue to learn about Jesus--and love Him forever!
Using An Advent Wreath
10. Soap--Do you like to wash? Behind your ears? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus. Read: John 9:1-7.
11. Heart Candy or Sticker--Hearts. Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they? Jesus spoke some commands about love. Read: Matthew 25:17-41.
12. Small Cross--We use the cross as a symbol, representing Jesus. Do you know why? Read: Phillipians 2:1-11.
13. Packet of Salt--Ordinary salt. Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice. Read: Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6. (Notice that He doesn't recommend pepper!).
14. Sand--Don't try to eat this! It's sand. It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings--and building lives. See His instructions: Matthew 7:24-29.
15. Silk Flowers--Flowers are pretty, aren't they? Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson. Read: Matthew 6:28-34.
16. Raisins--Raisins! Many children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack. That's because they are a health-promoting and delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit. Read: John 15:1-5.
17. Seeds--Jesus told a story about seeds that man planted. Then He explained it, revealing its deep meaning. Read: Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23.
18. Christmas Carol--Christmas is just about a week away. And here is an appropriate song. Sing it loudly! Read: Psalms 100.
19. Rock--A hard stone! Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to do just that. Do know how He handled it? Read: Matthew 4:1-4.
20. Crumpled Foil--Try to smooth out this piece of aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It's hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:12.
21. Mustard Seed (or packet of mustard)--The mustard seed is the smallest there is! When it sprouts, it grows into one of the largest plants! See what Jesus said. Read: Matthew 17:20.
22. Dove--We've learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for? Read: Matthew 3:13-17.
23. Scrap of Wool Material--The threads that compose this fabric came from the wool of a sheep. Jesus called Himself the good shepherd. Do you know who His sheep are? Read: John 10:7-18.
24. Marble--A marble! Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"? The world. God made the world for us. What does God continue doing to the world? And who is the world? Read: John 3:16.
25. Picture of Baby--Isn't this baby cute? When he was born, he made a whole family happy. Jesus was born a baby, too. He came to make the whole world happy. Read: Luke 2:1-20. Enjoy your celebration today. Continue to learn about Jesus--and love Him forever!
Using An Advent Wreath
Advent wreaths contain 4-5 candles, one purple or pink (Red)
candle for each week of Advent and a last white or rose candle to represent
Christ! Here are some ideas if you'd like to make your own:
1. Use an aluminum foil pie tin and cut "X" shapes to push your candles down into. Decorate with greenery.
2. Use a styrofoam wreath shape. Press your candles in (use a small brass candle holder if you can) and decorate with artificial holly or other greenery.
3. Fill a container such as a bundt cake pan or a pretty planting container with dry cranberries or small pretty stones (or sand, pebbles, etc if you will cover with greenery) and push your candles down in.
4. Drill holes in a log which has been sanded on the bottom side to be sure it is steady and place candles in the holes. Decorate with greenery.
5. If your children are too young to take part in candle lighting, they can make a wreath with handprints made on green paper. Form a circle with the handprints and put a bow on. You can hang it or you can make pretend candles from toilet paper tubes to use on it!
1. Use an aluminum foil pie tin and cut "X" shapes to push your candles down into. Decorate with greenery.
2. Use a styrofoam wreath shape. Press your candles in (use a small brass candle holder if you can) and decorate with artificial holly or other greenery.
3. Fill a container such as a bundt cake pan or a pretty planting container with dry cranberries or small pretty stones (or sand, pebbles, etc if you will cover with greenery) and push your candles down in.
4. Drill holes in a log which has been sanded on the bottom side to be sure it is steady and place candles in the holes. Decorate with greenery.
5. If your children are too young to take part in candle lighting, they can make a wreath with handprints made on green paper. Form a circle with the handprints and put a bow on. You can hang it or you can make pretend candles from toilet paper tubes to use on it!
The most important aspect of it all is that we celebrate our Savior's Coming...whether we do it individually or as a family - it makes all the difference in the world to what Christmas means to us in the end.
Comments