Ideas for Advent

The holidays seem to bring about all sorts of colds and viruses. Being flexible with Advent is the key to enjoying the special moments Christmas brings. Usually it is in the small things that we remember how someone loved us. I think that is why I love the story Little Women so much. They found love and joy in things other then material blessings. They found blessing in being a blessing. Snuggling up with my fevering daughter in my bed while watching the movie was one of those moments. It is the joy of motherhood...being a blessing to your children. They lean on you and find comfort in your care. In this resting they know you love them. I, too, find this rest when I lean on my Heavenly Father.

Ideas for Advent

Advent celebrations don't always have to be centered around the children. John and I spent an evening out at Liberty University's new Tower theater. We had a wonderful time watching "A Christmas Carol." It was a musical adaptation, which I perfer.
Knowing snow was falling lazily outside for the first time, it made it all the more cozy in the theater. The students did a great job and we went home reminded of our many blessings.
My darling date and I went out for a quick sandwich and coffee before heading home in the snow. Advent is a time for reflection and we did a lot of thinking back over our first year in Lynchburg. We could see God in the midst of the highs and lows. Sometimes it is hard to think when three children are always thinking outloud, so remember to take time for yourself in the Advent season.

Ideas for Advent

Advent doesn't mean you have to celebrate within the walls of your own home. I like to plan activities outside the home. Check your local community for all the Christmas events and pick one or two to add to your calendar.
Our church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, is doing a Christmas Spectaculor show and Liberty University is putting on The Christmas Carol play. If cost is an issue, plan a night of driving around looking at Christmas lights while singing Christmas songs in the car..maybe even bring hot chocolate in new carafes. (I found some Christmas carafes for children in the dollar store already this year.) You could also drop off a gift of sugar cookies to a widow or senior during your drive.

Ideas for Advent

You never did Advent as a child, but would like to start now that you have a family of your own. You ask yourself, "Where do I begin?"

If you don't have the time to research the history behind it and you just want to jump into it, I will post ideas of what we are doing here this year in our home to help you get started.

Advent has helped us meditate on the coming birth of our Saviour by spending the month of December creating ways to celebrate His life and the joy of giving and receiving. I put "receiving," because "all good gifts come down from the Father.." and it is important for children to learn to receive with joy and how to combat greed.

Preparing ahead of time is the key to making it enjoyable. Look over your budget and see what you can set aside for Advent. Most ideas can be free or relatively inexpensive. Setting the tone for Advent starts the first day you start, so make that day a pretty special day. Think carefully what you want to teach.

For us, keeping the life of Christ the most precious part of Christmas is our goal. I like to take my kids back in time the first night, so we turn off the electric lights and light a fire and a few candles. Letting the quietness fill the room allows the heart to hear a bit better. My husband, John, will open the Bible and share a portion of the scripture that prepares their minds for the birth of baby Jesus. If you have your Christmas tree already up, you can hang the first ornament on the tree and it could be an ornament (like a manger scene or an angel) representing what you just read. Maybe leave it like that for a full day and then spend the next night decorating the rest of the tree. More ideas to come...