Adventures In Advent: preparing for Christmas

A few days ago my wife and I sat down with our oldest children and ask the question "What would make this Christmas special this year?" I wondered if they would say they were hoping for some expensive gifts like phones, the latest game system, or designer clothes, but that wasn't their response. Instead, they all responded "Advent!"

In Christian circles, "Advent" is known as the season of preparation for and anticipation of Christmas. For most families, a traditional advent season most often includes daily scripture readings related to the hope of the coming Messiah, as well as the nativity itself.  Along with the reading of scripture, many people also light candles.  Our family advent has always included daily activities throughout the month of December that are both sacred and family traditions.

Prior to each December, my wife and I sit down and map out a Advent calendar of events, activities, scriptures verses, and other fun things to do with our children. We start by placing on the the calendar all of the big activities we will attend that are related to the school, the church, and extended family gatherings. From there, we place all of the other big moments we want to experience with the kids like going to see a Christmas movie, ice skating, caroling at the nursing homes, or even our trek to the mall to see Jolly old St. Nick. Next, we fill in all of the other dates with smaller special activities that we will mostly do at home such as; a candy cane hunt, make hot cocoa and read a Christmas book, act out the Christmas story, and bake a Happy Birthday Jesus Cake.

The final step in our advent preparation is to transfer the calendar two small slips of paper that we put inside of our festive advent system. Our system for delivering advent activities to our children has changed form many times over the years. Our current delivery system includes 25 small stockings all hung in a row using sparkling twine and clothespins. If you are lacking for ideas for your advent system, I'm sure Pintrest can help with that.

In the end, Tami and I are always able to create fun, yet flexible advent plan for our family that doesn't cost a lot, but is rich with love and joy.

Below is list of advent activities that will be likely be included in our family advent season this year.  What are your ideas!?

Hair Family Advent Ideas: (in no particular order)

1. Drive around and see the lights
2. Christmas Pancakes  (with cookie cutters)
3. Perform Christmas songs at the nursing home
4. Cut-out snowflakes
5. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a new Christmas book
6. Pop popcorn and enjoy a new Christmas movie
7. Christmas "MadLibs"
8. Decorate the house for Christmas
9. Play Christmas Bingo
10. Go ice-skating
11. Candy cane hunt
12. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies
13. Go see a LIVE nativity
14. Play Christmas Charades (words list)
15. Drink cider and look at old Christmas Photos
16. See Santa at the mall
17. 1$ store gift exchange
18. Take a holiday treat to another family
19. Christmas coloring pages
20. Go see a Christmas movie
21. Make ginger bread houses
22. Christmas Karaoke
23. Bake and decorate a "Happy Birthday" Jesus cake
24. Attend the Chirstmas Eve Serice at church
25. Go to the Jingle Jam Family Christmas Show

Click here to download a advent scripture calendar from First Assembly Community Ministries.