Did it sneak up on you? I knew it was coming but it's still hard for me to be 'ready' right on the heels of Thanksgiving (especially since we were out of town all of last week). Last year was the first time we did anything specific with Advent in mind. Bug was four, and while not wrapped up in the Santa thing (which we've never told him about but it really can't be avoided altogether), had caught on that he was going to get presents on Christmas. I wanted to do something to help them understand the real reason for the whole season of celebration.
So I started an advent/nativity set/Christmas tree tradition that walks us to Christmas a little at a time. The kids got more excited than I expected them to about pulling out the ornament for the day and putting it on the little tree.
With the state of the economy--the state of the world!--it seems even more appropriate this year to take the focus off the shopping and the wrapping and the going and the doing, and bring it back to a stable in Bethlehem where the greatest gift of all time was revealed to a waiting world.
I love hearing other ideas for finding the meaning in this special time that is sooo full of meaningless. Kristen at We are THAT Family posted the unique advent schedule she's planning with her family. She shared it in .pdf format so you can use it or adapt if for your own family. Have you seen any other good advent ideas out there in the blogosphere?
What are some of the things you'll do this year to keep the meaning in the moment?
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2 comments:
We started ours tonight. It's hard for me to believe it's December 1 too! I hope yours is blessed!
First, can't add much to your most recent post. I rarely cook (my husband does most of it), and if there's nothing in the pantry, well you know what we do.
Anyway, Advent and the celebration therein. We do Advent jars. Each child has a jar with 24 slips of paper in it, each one detailing a fun event or special activity for the day. As my older ones have grown, well, older, it's moved to grab bag items and $5 gift cards. Somehow, baking cookies with mom doesn't grab a 19 and 17 year old as it might with my youngers. Thus, I have to get very creative and spend lots of time at the Dollar Tree. Candy they will eat.
Keeping it very simple this year. $ is almost gone, but thank God for his provision and giving me some "set aside" for the occasion.
He's more than enough...perhaps the greatest lesson for the season.
peace~elaine
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